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COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. 



FROM 
EDEN TO MT. ARARAT 

OR 

RITUAL 



SILVER CLOUD, STAR, CROWN 
and ROYAL SCEPTRE DEGREES 



ANCIENT ORDER 
of PILGRIMS 

\ COMPREHENSIVE EXPOSITION AND INTER- 
PRETATION OF THE SIGNS, SECRETS 
PRINCIPLES, CUSTOMS, RITES AND 
CEREMONIES OF THE ORDER 



AS AUTHORIZED AND ADOPTED 

BY THE ANNUAL CONCLAVE 

S. H. A. O. OF P. 

Fourth Edition (Revised) 
1912 



A 



*■ 






Copyright 1912 

by 

The Supreme Home of the Ancient Order of Pilgrims 

of Houston, Texas 



£C!.A31G407 



PREFACE 



The present work has grown out of the necessity 
of making more impressive the lessons and princi- 
ples of Pilgrimacy as hased on the cardinal vir- 
tues of Love, Benevolence, and Concord; and, such 
heing the judgment of the membership of the in- 
stitution, after mature deliberation, the Supreme 
Home of the Ancient Order of Pilgrims, of Hous- 
ton, Texas, in Annual Conclave assembled, July, 
1911, authorized the appointment of a committee 
for the purpose. 

The committee as appointed and authorized, and 
as will be shown by the records of the institution, 
was thoroughly competent for the duty thus as- 
signed by reason of their long connection with the 
Order and a sincere devotion on their part to its 
principles, practices, and usages. All of the mem- 
bers of said committee being considered, it might 
be said that having served in every official position 
in both the local and the Supreme Jurisdictions, 
they came to the task with a rich experience cal- 
culated to make the undertaking comparatively 
easy and delightful. 



4 Preface 

A careful perusal of the work will disclose the 
fact of the establishment of the principles and 
lessons of Pilgrimacy upon Biblical facts and 
truths of history, entirely different ; and, that new 
and more fundamental truths, facts, and virtues 
are advanced than heretofore, all of which are 
symbolized by secrets and signs equally striking 
and impressive as they are new, unique and orig- 
inal. 

The principles and secrets, and, in fact, the en- 
tire scope of the rites, customs, practices and usages, 
have been materially enlarged by the addition of 
the Royal Sceptre Degree, while the ceremonies 
in regard to burials, installations, anniversaries, 
and the names of the degrees themselves, have 
been so altered and revised as to remain in har- 
mony and to be consistent with the general theme 
from beginning to end. In fact, the work is to 
all intents and purposes a new one. 

The general theme under consideration and the 
purpose of the authors have been to so weave the 
story as to make impressive the most delicate and 
important moral truths in a manner not calculated 
to be offensive in the least, nor to violate the rules 
of propriety in an assemblage of the most refined 
and cultured. 

THE AUTHORS. 

Houston, Texas, May 23, 1912. 



FROM EDEN TO ARARAT 

A COMPLETE MANUAL OF THE VIRTUES 
CUSTOMS, USAGES, RITES AND CERE- 
MONIES OF THE ANCIENT 
ORDER OF PILGRIMS 



Eight Pilgrims of the third or Crown Degree in 
good and regular standing, acting by and under 
authority guaranteed by charter or dispensation of 
the Supreme Home of the Ancient Order of Pil- 
grims, duly and legally issued and granted, are a 
requisite number to constitute a sanctuary of Pil- 
grims, and to initiate a candidate into the mysteries 
of either of the three degrees, namely: the Silver 
Cloud, the Star Degree, and the Crown Degree ; and 
such persons, not less than eight in number, all of 
the qualifications above set forth, are competent to 
form and maintain a sanctuary with all intents and 
purposes as expressed within the rules and regula- 
tions of the Order, and by its customs and usages. 

They assemble in a room well guarded from in- 
terruption and not upon a ground floor, unless 
otherwise permitted by the Supreme Worthy Shep- 
herd, which room is, by Pilgrims, having been 



(3 Ancient Order of Pilgrims. 

especially designed and prepared for the purpose, 
called a "sanctuary," and the officers and members 
seat themselves about the room as indicated by the 
floor plan on page 16. 

Sanctuary meetings are designated as "regular," 
which are held not less frequent than once a month, 
usually twice; and "special," which are held as 
the needs of the occasion demand and as provided 
by the Constitutional provisions of the Order. 

All business relative to Pilgrimacy is transacted 
in a "regular" meeting, and when the sanctuary is 
convened in the third or Crown Degree. None but 
members of the Crown Degree can be present at a 
"regular" meeting, and all applications and peti- 
tions for membership, appointment of committees 
and committee reports, balloting for candidates, 
etc., etc., are acted upon at such meetings, but any 
business of the kind to be transacted at a "special" 
meeting is, cutomarily, specifically stated in the 
call therefor. 

No business other than to initiate a candidate 
into the mysteries of those degrees can be trans- 
acted at a meeting of the Silver Cloud or of the 
Star Degree, and at any such meeting the requisite 
number to perform the rites and ceremonies is a 
Worthy Shepherd or a Past Worthy Shepherd of 
the Crown Degree, together with seven other mem- 



Election to Degrees. 



bers who are of the same degree, if not higher, as 
that to be conferred. 

When a petition for a Pilgrim's Degree or an ap- 
plication for membership is made to a sanctuary, 
after the same has been read, the Wortlry Shep- 
herd refers it to a committee of three, neither one 
of whom shall be the voucher thereon, and the 
duty of this committee shall be to investigate as 
to the fitness of the applicant or petitioner to be- 
come a member of the Order, and to report thereon 
at the next regular meeting, which report shall 
then be acted upon by the sanctuary. 

When the committee's report is received, a ballot 
is taken, and if the candidate for admission does 
not receive exceeding two adverse votes — two op- 
posing votes — he is declared elected ; but, if he re- 
ceives three or more such votes against him, on 
passing of the ballot, he is declared rejected by the 
Worthy Shepherd. A favorable ballot found for a 
candidate elects the candidate to the three degrees 
already referred to without further balloting, un- 
less new or changed conditions arise, thereby justi- 
fying further consideration of the candidate's pe- 
tition; and, if a petition is denied, the Worthy 
Shepherd may at his discretion, without violation 
of the customs of the Order, have the candidate's 
petition or application voted upon at any subse- 
quent "regular" meeting. 



Ancient Order or Pilgrims. 



The ballot for admission to membership by re- 
instatement or by clearance, and for conferring the 
degrees, is ordinarily passed in the following man- 
ner: 

The ballot box, a small wooden structure of two 
compartments, one opened and the other closed, 
but with a small opening at the top, after having 
been passed up to the Worthy Shepherd for in- 
spection, is placed on the altar with the open sec- 
tion containing a number of white balls or marbles 
exceeding the number of members, and a number 
of black ones not less than the number of mem- 
bers present. The Worthy Inspirator having va- 
cated the station near the altar, the Worthy Shep- 
herd makes the following announcement : 

Worthy Shepherd. — We are passing the ballot 

for Mr , who is a candidate for 

the Pilgrimic Degrees, or — 

We are passing the ballot for Brother , 

who is a candidate for membership by reinstate- 
ment (or by clearance, as the case may be). 

If you favor his election you will cast a white 
ballot, and if you have a well founded reason to be- 
lieve that he will not be a suitable member, you 
will cast a black ballot. 

He then proceeds to call each of the members 
present, who pass in turn to the altar, make the 



Election to Degrees. 



due-guard sign of the degree, and cast their vote 
by placing one of the balls into the closed section 
of the ballot box through the small opening left 
at the top. The ballot is then inspected by the 
Worthy Shepherd, who makes his declaration thus : 

W. S. — You have declared by your ballot that 

Mr is eligible for membership, and I 

now declare him elected, or — 

You have declared by your ballot that Mr 

is non-eligible for membership in this sanc- 
tuary, and I now declare him rejected. 

In conferring degrees, the requisite number and 
qualifications of members assembled for the pur- 
pose may be such as have been already referred to 
in the preceding pages, but a Constitutional num- 
ber for a sanctuary, acting under a charter or dis- 
pensation granted by the Supreme Home of the 
Ancient Order of Pilgrims, unless specially author- 
ized otherwise, when assembled and convened for 
business other than the conferring of degrees and 
giving instruction in the secret works, customs 
and ceremonies of the Order, must consist of not 
less than eight persons of the Crown Degree, and 
whose membership is lodged with the sanctuary 
then and there convened. 

The sanctuary is furnished and the stations for 
the officers are arranged in the same manner for 



10 Ancient Order of Pilgrims. 

conferring the Silver Cloud Degree, the Star De- 
gree, and the Crown Degree; and yet, those who 
have advanced through the various stages in the 
search for the light and the truth emanating from 
the ancient mysteries are referred to as "residing 
in Eden/' "builders on the Ark," and "sojourners 
on Mount Ararat." 

It is the duty of the Sentinel to keep the outer 
door closely guarded, to alarm the inner door for 
the members as they enter, and to see that they 
are carefully instructed as to the degree in which 
the sanctuary is conducting its work, to the end 
that the traditions of the institution be not unduly 
exposed to those not entitled thereto. 

Those members who arrive after the sanctuary 
has been duly opened, will approach the outer door 
of the ante-room, which is occupied at all times 
during the progress of the meeting by the Sentinel 
armed with the sword. 

The member gives one ordinary rap on the outer 
door of the ante-room, places his mouth to the 
wicket, and states in a low whisper his name, to- 
gether with the name and number of the sanctuary 
of which he is himself a member. Having re- 
ceived a like rap in response from within, he places 
his ear to the wicket. The Sentinel having heard 
the rap from without, places his ear to the wicket 



Entering the Sanctuary. 11 

in order to catch the message from without, and 
having so done he responds by a similar rap and 
announces quietly through the wicket the name and 
number of the sanctuary at work, together with the 
name of the degree in which the meeting is being 
conducted. The degree pass is then whispered by 
the member through the wicket (a small aperture 
cut in the door) , and he is admitted into the ante- 
room by the Sentinel, who places upon him the re- 
galia or an emblem of the degree in which the sanc- 
tuary is engaged, and instructs the member in ref- 
erence thereto. 

The process of gaining admission into the ante- 
room is the same for each of the degrees, and when 
the member has been properly adorned and in- 
structed in the ante-room, it is the duty of the 
Sentinel to alarm the inner door with, the raps pe- 
culiarly associated with the particular degree in 
which the business of the sanctuary is being con- 
ducted. 

To pass from the ante-room into the sanctuary, 
if it is convened in the Silver Cloud Degree, he 
gives two distinct raps in quick succession, followed 
by two others, thus: ** — **; if it be convened in 
the Star Degree, he gives' two distinct raps in 
quick succession, followed by one distinct rap, and 
then by two others, thus: ** — * — **; if in the 
Crown Degree, he gives two distinct raps in quick 



12 Ancient Order of Pilgrims. 

succession, then two, and then two others, thus, 
#* — ** — ** ? which raps being heard on the in- 
side are reported to the Worthy Shepherd by the 
Worthy Junior Usher in the following manner: 

Worthy Junior Usher. — Worthy Shepherd, at the 
inner door of our sanctuary, there is an interrup- 
tion. 

Worthy Shepherd. — Brother Junior Usher, after 
making due inquiry, report the cause of this in- 
terruption. 

(The Worthy Junior Usher upon receiving the 
order from the Worthy Shepherd, responds by like 
raps on the door, which remains closed; he places his 
ear to the wicket of the inner door, accepts the degree 
pass if the sanctuary is working in the first or second 
degree; but, if the sanctuary is convened in the 
Crown Degree, then the words to be accepted are the 
degree pass and the quarterly pass. When the two 
passes are given they must be connected by the word 
"and/* and in all cases where the person entering is 
a visitor the passes must be followed by the name of 
the visitor, together with the number and location of 
the sanctuary of which he is a member. The report 
is made to the Worthy Shepherd as follows: ) 

W. J. U.— Worthy Shepherd, Brother. . , 

with the pass (or without the pass), interrupts us 
for the purpose of admission. 

(If he is known to the Worthy Shepherd to be 
qualified, he will say:) 

W. S. — Our pleasure, Brother Junior Usher, is 
that you admit the brother (sister). 



Entering the Sanctuary. 13 

(The Worthy Junior Usher having opened the door, 
invites the member in, using an undertone of the 
voice. The member advances to the front of the altar, 
facing the Worthy Shepherd, and makes the degree 
sign and the due-guard sign for the degree in which 
the sanctuary is convened, which signs are responded 
to by the due-guard sign of the degree made by the 
Worthy Shepherd.) 

When the sanctuary is convened in the Crown 
Degree, a member on entering, makes the degree 
sign and due-gnard sign of each of the three de- 
grees in successive order, to which the Worthy 
Shepherd responds by making the due-guard sign 
of the respective degrees at the moment the corre- 
sponding sign is made by the member. 

The male members, having removed their hats 
in the ante-room, after saluting the Worthy Shep- 
herd in the above manner designated, it becomes es- 
sential for the female members to. remove their 
hats or bonnets, and in passing to seats among the 
members, or in passing about the room, it is con- 
sidered a gross violation to pass between the sta- 
tion of the Worthy Shepherd and the altar. In 
passing about the room custom requires that a 
member make the due-guard sign on passing the 
altar. 

There is no occasion when it will be permissible 
for a Worthy Junior Usher to permit the entrance 
of a member into the sanctuary after it has been 
duly opened without the permission of the Worthy 



14 Ancient Order of Pilgrims. 

Shepherd duly given, but from long established 
custom a Worthy Shepherd has authority, when 
otherwise engaged himself, to direct the Worthy 
Junior Usher to refer and communicate all inter- 
ruptions from without to the Worthy Vice- 
Shepherd. 

Where the membership is large, or where a num- 
ber of sanctuaries are established in the same lo- 
cality, all having co-ordinate jurisdiction, it fre- 
quently happens that the Worthy Shepherd will 
be in doubt as to the standing of a member re- 
ported by the Worthy Junior Usher. When the 
person reported is without the proper passes and 
is a member of the sanctuary, the Worthy Shep- 
herd, if in doubt, will say : 

W. S. — Brother Worthy Recorder, what is the 

standing of Brother , who interrupts 

us without the pass? 

If the sanctuary is convened in the Silver Cloud 
Degree, he will say : 

W. S. — Who vouches for him (or her) who in- 
terrupts us that he may reside in Eden ? 

But if it be convened in the Star Degree, he 
says: 

W. S. — Who vouches for him (or her) who in- 
terrupts us to become a builder on the Ark ? 

If the member is properly vouched for he is ad- 
mitted by the order of the Worthy Shepherd ; but 



Entering the Sanctuary. 15 

should any person reported by the Worthy Junior 
Usher be without the proper passes, and no mem- 
ber present can vouch for said member as being 
of the Crown Degree and in good and regular 
standing, the Worthy Shepherd will send out a 
committee, the duty of which shall be to examine 
the applicant or visitor thoroughly as to his identity 
or fellowship with the fraternity and to report him 
accordingly. 

Xo member can vouch for a visitor as having 
any particular degree of the secret work, unless 
he has been present with said visitor at a lawful 
meeting of a regularly constituted sanctuary con- 
vened in the same degree or in a higher degree; 
and the most perfect evidence of the good standing 
of a visitor, in the absence of the proper passes, is 
the member's financial card, together with a certifi- 
cate issued by his sanctuary, properly signed and 
attested, with the seal attached. 

When a visiting member without the pass has 
been allowed to enter on evidence of card or cer- 
tificate, or by such evidence taken together with 
examination properly made, it would be considered 
a violation of the customs for the Worthy Shep- 
herd to permit the quarterly pass to be issued to 
such a visitor without authority legally and law- 
fully given under the seal of the sanctuary of 
which said visitor or sojourner is a member. 



SANCTUARY OFFICERS' STATIONS 
EAST 



\S.P.W.SJ W.S. JJ.RW.S./ 



W.L. 



W.R. 



W.C. 



W.I. 




Opening the Sanctuary. 17 



OPENING CEREMONY. 

The members having gathered, not less than a 
constitutional number being present, the Worthy 
Shepherd will take his station in the East promptly 
at the hour designated in the by-laws, and will say : 

Worthy Shepherd. — The officers -of the sanctuary 
will please occupy their respective stations, and the 
members be in order and due decorum. 

(The Worthy Recorder and the Worthy Locker oc- 
cupy the stations to the left and the right, respect- 
ively, of the Worthy Shepherd; the Worthy Vice- 
President in the West; the Worthy Senior Usher in 
the North, with the Shepherd's Crook in hand; the 
Worthy Patrol in the South, with the Pilgrim's Staff 
in hand; the Worthy Inspirator in front of the altar, 
facing the East; the Worthy Counselor in front of 
the Worthy Shepherd, facing the Worthy Vice-Shep- 
herd; the Worthy Junior Usher to the right of the 
Vice-Shepherd and near the inner door, Pilgrim's 
Staff in hand; and the Worthy Sentinel in the ante- 
room armed with the sword. The Senior Past 
Worthy Shepherd sits on the right of the Worthy 
Shepherd, and the Junior Past Worthy Shepherd on 
the left. The members remove their hats, unneces- 
sary wraps and cloaks, and be seated about the room.) 

W. S. (Giving one rap, thus, *) — Worthy Ju- 
nior Usher, when thus assembled, what should be 
our watchful care and purpose ? 

W. J. IT. (Rising and making the due-guard 
sign of the degree) — Worthy Shepherd, our watch- 
ful care should protect us from unusual interrup- 



Ancient Order of Pilgrims. 



tion that our purpose in walking hand in hand may 
be fulfilled. 

W. S. — Then in conformity with our ancient cus- 
toms let the Worthy Sentinel be advised against 
all interruptions by improper persons, while we 
proceed to open in due form. 

(The Worthy Junior Usher quietly opens the door 
and so advises the Sentinel in an undertone, who 
closes the outer door of the ante-room. The officers 
and members are invested with the proper regalia or 
emblems of office, female members being invested 
with badges only, whereupon the Worthy Junior 
Usher says: ) 

W. J. U. — Worthy Shepherd, there will be no 
interruption. 

W. S . ( Rapping thus, * * * — * * — * * * ; officers 
stand) — Worthy Counselor, what number of offi- 
cers constitutes a lawful sanctuary duly formed 
and guarded, and what are their proper titles ? 

W. C. (Making the due-guard sign of the de- 
gree) — Worthy Shepherd, a lawful sanctuary duly 
formed and guarded requires ten ritualistic offi- 
cers, namely: Worthy Shepherd, Worthy Yiee- 
Shepherd, Worthy Senior Usher, Worthy Locker, 
Worthy Recorder, Worthy Patrol, Worthy Inspira- 
tor, Worthy Junior Usher, Worthy Counselor, and 
a Worthy Sentinel stationed outside the inner door. 

W. S. — What is the emblem of office worn by the 
Worthy Sentinel? 



Opening the Sanctuary. 19 

W. C. — The badge of office, the crossed-swords, 
an emblem of protection, admonishes our Worthy 
Sentinel that security from unlawful interruption 
depends upon his watchful care. 

W. S. (Raps thus, *) — Worthy Junior Usher, 
explain to us the emblem of your office. 

W. J. U. (Making the due-guard sign) — As I 
am acting with our Worthy Sentinel in protecting 
our sanctuary from the intrusions of improper 
persons, my badge of office — the dove within the 
star — the emblem of peace, ever admonishes me to 
promote that peace and harmony so essential to 
the success of our institution. 

W. S. (Raps *) — Worthy Senior Usher, explain 
to us the emblem of your office. 

W. S. U. (Making the due-guard sign) — As I 
proceed to ascertain if those upon the "mountain" 
(or in Eden, or within the Ark) are entitled to so- 
journ with us, and as I bear support to those can- 
didates passing through the mazy labyrinths of 
our ancient rites and ceremonies, my badge of of- 
fice — the scroll and baton within the star — the em- 
blems of prepared plans and their fulfillment, ever 
admonishes me that first impressions are lasting 
and should be for good. 

W. S. (Raps *) — Worthy Locker, explain to 
us the emblem of your office. 



20 Ancient Order of Pilgrims. 

W. L. (Making the due-guard sign) — In re- 
ceiving all money from the Worthy Recorder, giv- 
ing a receipt therefor, and in paying out the same 
on an order of the Worthy Shepherd properly at- 
tested by the Worthy Recorder, my badge of of- 
fice — the crossed-keys — an emblem of security, con- 
stantly admonishes me to the . strictest fidelity in 
the preservation and disbursement of that en- 
trusted to my care. 

W. S. (Raps *) — Worthy Recorder, explain to 
us the emblem of your office. 

W. R. (Making the due-guard sign) — In re- 
cording the proceedings of the sanctuary, and in 
receiving all money due the sanctuary to be in 
turn paid over to the Worthy Locker on his receipt 
therefor, my badge of office — the crossed-pens — the 
emblem of power and intelligence, admonishes me 
of the faithful record made by the invisible pen 
of all our thoughts and actions. 

W. S. (Raps *) — Worthy Patrol, explain to us 
the emblem of your office. 

W. P. (Making the due-guard sign) — Acting 
as support to the Worthy Senior Usher in directing 
through Eden all who would sojourn upon Mount 
Ararat, my badge of office — the baton within the 
star — an emblem of direction, ever admonishes me 



Opening the Sanctuary. 21 

that discipline is highly essential to the success of 
all who would dwell within the Ark. 

W. S. (Raps *) — Worthy Vice- Shepherd, ex- 
plain to us the emblem of your office. 

W. V. S. (Making the due-guard sign) — From 
my station in the West I assist in the discharge of 
the duties of the office of Worthy Shepherd, and in 
presiding during his absence, my badge of office — 
the sun within the star — the emblem of brightness, 
admonishes me to counsel the Worthy Shepherd as 
the rising sun enlightens the day. 

W. S. — What are the responsibilities of the 
Worthy Shepherd, and how do you explain the 
insignia of that office, Worthy Vice-Shepherd? 

W. V. S. — Our Worthy Shepherd should pre- 
side over the deliberations of our sanctuary from 
the station in the East that none of the ancient 
rites, customs, usages and ceremonies shall be vio- 
lated. The insignia of the office, that gavel within 
the star, is the emblem of supreme authority. It 
constantly admonishes us all that the prosperity 
of our institution rests upon the judgment and dis- 
cretion of our Worthy Shepherd. The responsi- 
bility of that officer stationed in the East to the 
Supreme Worthy Shepherd of the Universe in im- 
pressing our cardinal principles, and to the mem- 
bership of our sanctuary for the proper dissem- 



22 Ancient Order of Pilgrims. 

ination of light and knowledge, should prompt us 
to perform our work in a spirit of faith and prayer. 

W. S. — It is in the spirit suggested by our 
Worthy Vice-Shepherd that this sanctuary shall be 
assembled in due form and decorum, and being 
supported by an implicit faith in the virtue of our 
ancient mysteries, let the principles of Love, Be- 
nevolence and Concord be our anchor under the 
direction of our Worthy Counselor. Let our pa- 
tience and forbearance make us worthy of the 
"crown" we shall eventually wear if our wills are 
made subservient to the admonitions of our Worthy 
Inspirator. Those of the faithful, are you assured 
that all present are entitled to remain with us 
longer ? 

(The members carefully observe about the room to 
ascertain if any present are of a lower degree, or in 
arrears, and finding none they respond thus:) 

Members (Making due-guard) — Worthy Shep- 
herd, we are assured. (Otherwise they will re- 
spond : Worthy Shepherd, we are not assured. ) 

(If any member should respond that he is not as- 
sured, and no member qualified can vouch for those 
objected to, and the Worthy Vice-Shepherd is not 
satisfied as to the eligibility of every person present 
to remain, then the Worthy Vice-Shepherd will say:) 

W. V. S. — Worthy Shepherd, not being assured 
beyond all reasonable doubt, the Worthy Senior 



Opening the Sanctuary. 23 

Usher and Worthy Patrol are now directed to call 
for the pass for the quarter, or for the Silver 
Cloud, the Star, or the Crown Degree, as the con- 
ditions may demand. 

(The Worthy Senior Usher and Worthy Patrol go 
before the altar, staff and crook in hand, make the 
due-guard sign of the degree in which the sanctuary 
is about to be opened, advance to the Worthy Shep- 
herd and give him the pass called for by the Worthy 
Vice-Shepherd. They then proceed to take up the 
pass from each member, the Worthy Patrol passing 
down the south side and the Worthy Senior Usher 
along the north side of the room. As the officers 
strike the floor gently with the staff or crook, the 
member approached rises and gives the grip of the 
degree and the word or pass for which the call was 
made, and if he fails in the test he must remain 
standing. This duty performed, the two officers re- 
appear before the altar, make the due-guard sign of 
the degree to the Worthy Vice-Shepherd, and say:) 

W. S. U. and W. R— Worthy Vice-Shepherd, 

your instructions have been obeyed and we find all 

qualified to remain, excepting those now standing 

and awaiting the orders of our Worthy Shepherd. 

(If the members standing can not be vouched for 
to the Worthy Vice-Shepherd, that officer will report 
as follows, after which by request of the Worthy 
Shepherd* they retire to the ante-room for more ex- 
tended examination:) 

W. V. S. — Worthy Shepherd, upon the retire- 
ment of those who do not sojourn upon Mt. Ararat 
(or dwell in Eden, or are not builders upon the 
Ark, as the case may be), we are assured that all 
are of the faithful. 



24 Ancient Order or Pilgrims. 

(When those unqualified to remain shall have re- 
tired from the room to await the committee of exam- 
iners appointed by the Worthy Shepherd after the 
sanctuary has been opened and so declared, the 
Worthy Shepherd will say:) 

W. S. (Raps thus *** — * — *** ; all members 
rise). — That our work may be well done, while we 
form the unbroken chain, let us sing our opening 
ode: 

(The members form the unbroken chain enclosing 
the Worthy Inspirator at the altar within the circle; 
the Worthy Shepherd and the Worthy Vice-Shepherd 
stand opposite each other in the chain, all singing 
together:) 

OPENING ODE. (S. M.) 

Love is the tie that binds 

Us in a Pilgrim band; 
In fellowship of kindred mind, 

We're walking "hand in hand." 

Benevolence, our pride! 

To Thee we shall be true! 
Our trust in thee we ever prize 

E'en when a faithful few. 

W. S. — Worthy Inspirator, please pray for us. 

Members (Response). — Amen! amen! amen! 

(While the Worthy Inspirator recites the Lord's 
Prayer, or makes an extemporaneous prayer suitable 
to the occasion, as his judgment dictates, the mem- 
bers stand on the due-guard sign of the degree. After 
the response by the members, they repair to their re- 
spective seats and the officers to their stations, during 
which time the last stanza of the Ode is sung, all 
standing.) 



Opexixg the Sanctuary. 



Concord's the righteous aim 

Of consecrated hearts, 
And forming this unbroken chain 

No strife should be our part. 

W. S. — Officers and members, in formally open- 
ing this sanctuary our desire is that yon give undi- 
vided attention to such matters as may be brought 
before you; that you bear in mind our purpose is 
for the welfare of all rather than for individual in- 
terest. Let not your actions be determined by bias 
or prejudice, but in a spirit of justice and modera- 
tion; speak candidly and with proper regard and 
decorum on such matters as it shall be both my 
pleasure and my duty to present for your consid- 
eration; therefore, by virtue of authority in me 

vested as your Worthy Shepherd, 

Sanctuary No , Ancient Order of Pil- 
grims is, hereby and now, declared legally opened 
in the Crown Degree (or the Silver Cloud Degree, 
or the Star Degree) for the transaction of such 
business as may, in accordance with our customs, 
rules and practices, demand your consideration. 

W. S. (Raps thus, *—**".) 

Members. — (Respond, making due-guard sign of 
the degree.) 

W. S. — (Raps thus, **, which seats the mem- 
bers.) 



2(5 Ancient Order of Pilgrims. 

W. S. — Worthy Junior Usher, yon will please in- 
form the Worthy Sentinel that the sanctuary is 1 
legally opened in due form and decorum in the 
Crown Degree (or the Silver Cloud, or the Star 
Degree), and that no unlawful interruption will be 
permitted. Worthy Patrol, please arrange the al- 
tar. 

(The Worthy Junior Usher opens the door and 
quietly gives the instruction to the Worthy Sentinel, 
calling his attention particularly to the degree in 
which the sanctuary is opened, while the Worthy 
Patrol arranges the altar in the following manner: 

In the Silver Cloud Degree, the Holy Bible upon 
the altar is opened to Exodus 20, 5-6; in the Star 
Degree it is opened to Deut. 16, 17; and, in the Crown 
Degree it is opened to Eph. 4, 29. In each instance 
the dove and anchor is placed upon the chapter.) 

(Supposing the meeting to be a regular one and 
of the Crown Degree, the business would be proceeded 
with as follows: ) 

W. S. — The Worthy Recorder is directed to call 
the roll of officers, and to read the minutes of the 
previous meeting. 

(The Worthy Recorder reads the minutes of the last 
regular or special meeting convened in the Crown 
Degree, and the minutes of all intervening meetings 
held in the lower degrees, each of which must be 
voted upon separately.) 

W. S. — Section One for consideration of the tem- 
poral relief of our worthy distressed members is 
now declared opened, and the Worthy Tice-Shep- 
herd will please report those having received relief 



Conducting Business. 27 



since last we thus convened, and the manner in 
which the same was granted. 

(The Worthy Vice-Shepherd rises in the station in 
the West and reports each case of relief in detail, and 
in regular order.) 

W. S. — The Worthy Vice- Shepherd or any mem- 
ber about the room may now report any of our 
worthy distressed needing attention. 

(The Worthy Vice-Shepherd reports such cases as 
have not at the time had relief, and of which there 
may be knowledge; and is followed by any mem- 
ber who may have knowledge of cases of needed re- 
lief not mentioned by the Vice-Shepherd.) 

W. S. — By virtue of authority in me vested as 
your Worthy Shepherd, Section One is declared 
closed, and we will proceed farther under Section 
Two, now declared opened for the consideration of 
any business conducive to the general welfare of 
our Order. (If the meeting is a special one, then 
the Worthy Shepherd shall state as the business 
for consideration only that stated in the call.) 

(a) Calling the roll for collection of dues. 

(The dues to be paid, together with, the cards of 
the members, are passed up to the Worthy Recorder 
by the Worthy Senior Usher and the Worthy Patrol 
as each name is called, unless the Worthy Shepherd 
permits otherwise.) 

(b) Beading of communications'. 

(c) Eeports of committees and disposal of the 



28 Ancient Order of Pilgrims. 



(d) 


Consideration of the Worthy Vice-Shep- 
herd's report. 


(e) 


Presentation of petitions or applications 
for membership. 


(f) 


Balloting for candidates. 


(g) 


Miscellaneous business : 




1. Worthy Eecorder presents receipts for 



bills ordered paid at last meeting. 

2. Worthy Recorder presents bills filed 
since last meeting. 

3. Worthy Eecorder specifies various bills 
due. 

4. Worthy Recorder states the total re- 
ceipts of the evening. 

5. Bills ordered paid under the direction 
of the Worthy Shepherd. 

6. All other business. 

(h) Appointment of committees. 

W. S. — Worthy Recorder, what are the total re- 
ceipts of the evening, and what is the total amount 
of bills ordered paid ? 

(The Worthy Recorder answers.) 

W. S. — Worthy Recorder, considering the cash 
on hand held by our Worthy Locker, what will be 



Closing the Saxctuary. 29 

the cash balance after all bills just voted on have 
been paid? 

(The Worthy Recorder answers.) 

W. S. — Worthy Locker, after you shall have re- 
ceived the sum to be paid over to yo.u (or you have 
paid over to the proper persons the money author- 
ized) at this meeting, and considering the bills just 
mentioned as having been paid, what would be the 
cash balance held in trust by you for our Order? 

(The Worthy Locker answers.) 

W. S. — Section Two is hereby declared to be 
duly closed, and we will proceed with our closing 
ceremony. 

CLOSING CEREMONY. 

AY. S. (Raps *) — Worthy Vice-Shepherd, has 
any deserving case of charity or benevolence passed 
our notice? 

W. V. S. (Making due-guard sign). — Not one 
within my knowledge, Worthy Shepherd. 

W. S. (Raps *) — Worthy Junior Usher, advise 
our Worthy Sentinel that we are about to close 
this sanctuary, and that for our welfare he will 
permit no further interruptions. 

(The Worthy Junior Usher rises at the sound of 
the gavel, makes the due-guard sign of the degree, 



30 Ancient Order of Pilgrims, 

and quietly instructs the Worthy Sentinel as directed. 
The Worthy Sentinel observes all such orders by 
making no reports nor interruptions during the open- 
ing or closing ceremonies, nor during the reading of 
the minutes.) 

W. S. (Raps *** — * — ***; all members rise) — 
Members, as we form the unbroken chain, let us 
sing our Closing Ode. 

(The members form the unbroken chain around the 
altar as in the opening ceremony, singing a stanza of 
any hymn appropriate for the occasion.) 

W. S. — Worthy Inspirator, you will please per- 
form your duty. 

(The Worthy Inspirator reads aloud (or repeats, 
which is better) the Scripture indicated by the em- 
blem on the altar, and then repeats the Lord's Prayer 
or makes a short prayer suitable to the occasion. 
The members stand in the chain on the due-guard 
sign of the degree, and the prayer being concluded 
they respond thus: ) 

Members — Amen ! amen ! amen ! 

W. S. — As your Worthy Shepherd, I must insist 
upon impressing the members present with the im- 
portance of being punctual at our meetings and 
present on all occasions, in order to safeguard the 
interests of the sanctuary, and to share its duties 
and responsibilities. As we go forth into the 
world, not knowing what shall meet us there, save 
that trials and temptations are numerous along 
our pathway, and that in the construction of the 
Ark of human life there will be obstructions and 



Closing the Sanctuary. 31 

embarrassments, let us never be dismayed, for the 
promise of the Supreme Worthy Shepherd of the 
Universe is to those who have kept the faith. 
By virtue of authority in me vested as your 

Worthy Shepherd, I hereby declare; 

Sanctuary Xo , to be duly and legally 

closed until the next regular meeting (state the 
time), unless otherwise ordered, in conformity with 
our rules and regulations. 

(The Worthy Shepherd then whispers the Quar- 
terly Pass into the ear of the member standing at his 
right in the chain, which member passes the same 
on in like manner until it reaches the last member 
in the chain; it is then passed to the Worthy Inspir- 
ator by this member, and is in turn repassed to the 
Worthy Shepherd, who declares:) 

W. S. — The pass is right; together let us make 
the closing signs. 

(The members stand erect in the chain circle, the 
left foot advanced and the left forearm extended from 
the waist line, palm upwards, and the right hand 
resting on the left, palm downwards. These words 
are repeated three times: "And they shall be one 
flesh," during which time the right hand is raised 
about eighteen inches from the left hand, on each 
alternate word, beginning with the first. This is done 
very quietly, the hands being brought together in a 
sharp clash, accompanied by a gentle stamp of the 
left foot just as the word "flesh" is said the last 
time. ) 



32 Ancient Order of Pilgrims. 



RAISING THE DEGREE. 

Supposing the sanctuary to have been regularly 
opened in the Silver Cloud Degree, the process of 
raising the sanctuary to the Star Degree or to the 
Crown Degree is about as follows : 

W. S. (Raps *) — Worthy Vice-Shepherd, are 
you satisfied that all present are members of the 
Crown Degree (or of the Star Degree), and are 
entitled to remain? 

W. V. S. (Making the due-guard sign) — Worthy 

Shepherd, I am assured they are (or not assured, 

as the case may be). 

(If the Worthy Vice-Shepherd is not assured, then 
the Worthy Shepherd will say:) 

W. S. (Raps *) — Worthy Vice-Shepherd, please 

make yourself assured. 

(The Worthy Vice-Shepherd calls the Worthy Se- 
nior Usher and the Worthy Patrol, who proceed to 
take the pass in the same manner indicated in the 
opening of the sanctuary, and which is likewise re- 
ported, following which the Worthy Vice-Shepherd 
says : ) 

W. V. S. (Making the due-guard sign) — Worthy 

Shepherd, I am assured (or not assured, as the case 

may be). 

(Those not properly vouched for ana unqualified to 
remain, having retired from the roo'm, the Worthy 
Shepherd will say:) 



Raising the Sanctuary. 33 

W, S. (Raps *** — * — ***) — Brethren and sis- 
ters, proceed to qualify as of the Crown Degree (or 
of the Star Degree). 

(The order being properly given, the members 
make the sign of the degree and the due-guard sign 
of the degree to which the sanctuary is to be raised, 
just after the gavel sounds, thus:) 

W. S. (Raps thus, *—**). 

Members — (Make the degree sign, then the due- 
guard sign.) 

W. S. (Raps **) — I now declare this sanctuary 
legally opened in due form and decorum in the 
Crown Degree (or in the Star Degree), for the dis- 
patch of such business as may properly come be- 
fore it in accordance with our customs, rules and 
regulations. Worthy Patrol, you will please ar- 
range the altar according^, and the Worthy Junior 
Usher will likewise advise the Worthy Sentinel 
without the inner door. 

LOWERING THE DEGREE. 

When the sanctuary is opened in the Crown De- 
gree or in the Star Degree, and it becomes necessary 
to open in a lower degree, the most approved man- 
ner is to close the sanctuary in the usual way, and 
then open in the required degree with the regular 
opening ceremony found in the preceding pages; 



34 Ancient Order of Pilgrims. 

but since it frequently occurs that degrees are con- 
ferred on occasions of regular meetings, by long 
established custom the process has been shortened 
somewhat as follows : 

W. S. (Raps thus, ***_*_***) —Brethren and 

Sisters, let us qualify as of the Star Degree (or as 
of the Silver Cloud Degree). 

W. S. (Raps thus,*—**). 

Members — (Respond, making the due-guard sign 
of the degree called for, which is followed by the 
sign of the degree.) 

W. S. (Raps **) — By virtue of authority in me 
vested as Worthy Shepherd, I now declare this 
sanctuary legally opened in due form and decorum. 
Worthy Patrol, you will please arrange the altar; 
Worthy Junior Usher, you will so advise our 
Worthy Sentinel without the inner door. 



SILVER CLOUD DEGREE 

(WHITE) 



Xo candidate can be initiated into the mysteries 
of this degree without first having been balloted 
on with a favorable result, at a meeting of the 
sanctuary held in the Crown Degree; but it fre- 
quently happens through long established custom 
that the degrees may be conferred in a sanctuary 
other than that in which the candidate was bal- 
loted on, provided the matter of election to mem- 
bership has been duly certified to under the seal of 
the sanctuary for which the initiation is performed. 

In order to protect the interest of the institution, 
it is the prerogative of the Worthy Vice-Shepherd 
not only to inspect the certificate from another 
sanctuary requesting that an applicant be ini- 
tiated or be advanced in the degrees, but he may 
inspect the ballot on all petitions for initiation or 
advancement prior to the formal declaration of 
election, which is made by the Worthy Shepherd 
in the preceding pages. 

The sanctuary having met for the express pur- 
pose of conferring the Silver Cloud Degree, the can- 
didate is left in the ante-room with the Worthy 



36 Ancient Order of Pilgrims. 

'Sentinel, to whom he has been introduced by a 
friend; otherwise, he is left in a room adjacent to 
the ante-room, until -the sanctuary has been opened 
in the Silver Cloud Degree. The candidate having 
declared his intention or made known the purpose 
of his presence, to the Worthy Sentinel, the follow- 
ing is the order of procedure : 

Worthy Sentinel — {Raps thus, ** — *** — **). 

(The seven raps as indicated is the manner of 
making interruption at the inner door for any degree, 
when non-members are in the ante-room.) 

W. J. Ul — Worthy Shepherd, we are interrupted 
by strange signals from without. 

W. S. — Ascertain the cause, and after investiga- 
tion, Worthy Junior Usher, report to us the reason 
of this strange alarm. 

(The Worthy Junior Usher opens the door and as- 
certains the name and identity of the candidate, his 
desire and purpose, and reports thus:) 

W. J. U.— Worthy Shepherd, Mr , 

a stranger no doubt, is in the ante-room and seeks 
to be inducted into our ancient mysteries. 

W. S. — Worthy Recorder, has Mr 

complied with all our requirements in reference to 
admission into the Silver Cloud Degree, and what 
will the records show in that respect ? 

W. B. : — (The 'Worthy Recorder answers as to 
time of application, report on the same by the 



The Silver Cloud Degree. 37 

committee,, the result of the ballot and time, the 
payment by applicant of proposition fee, and the 
balance due, etc.) 

W. S. (Raps *)— Worthy Patrol and Worthy 
Recorder will proceed to the ante-room and satisfy 
themselves as to the attitude of this stranger. 

(The Worthy Recorder and the Worthy Patrol ap- 
pear before the altar, make the due-guard sign of the 
degree, and are passed out by the Worthy Junior 
Usher into the ante-room, where the examination is 
conducted, thus: ) 

W. P. (To the candidate) — Mr , 

do you here now in the presence of the Worthy 
Sentinel, willingly reaffirm your desire to be ini- 
tiated into our mysteries, and that you are not in- 
fluenced by mercenary motives nor undue solicita- 
tion of friends? 

Candidate (Prompted by Sentinel) — I do. 

W. P. — Do you then assert that your motives are 
prompted by a favorable impression of our Order, 
and that you have a sincere desire to ameliorate the 
conditions of others as well as yourself? 

Candidate — I do. 

W. P. — Do you promise to pay all dues and 
assessments, taxes and fines legally imposed when 
you shall have become subject thereto ? 

Candidate — I do. 



38 Ancient Order of Pilgrims. 

W. P. — Do you promise, upon your honor, that 
you will go to relieve all worthy members in need 
of relief or in distress? 

Candidate — I do. 

• W. P. — Do you promise to faithfully perform 
all duties assigned you by those duly authorized ? 

Candidate — I do. 

W. P. — In addition to your former promises, do 
you cheerfully promise to conform to all the rites, 
ceremonies, established usages, and customs of our 
Order ? 

Candidate — I do. 

W. P. — Since your answers are satisfactory, you 
may now tender our Worthy Eecorder the balance 
of your admission fee, that you may be properly 
reported to our Worthy Shepherd and a record duly 
made of the same. 

(The candidate pays the balance of the fee for tne 
three degrees to the Worthy Recorder, giving his 
name and address, and the Worthy Recorder re-enters 
the sanctuary. Appearing before the altar, the 
Worthy Recorder salutes the Worthy Shepherd with 
the due-guard sign of the degree and reports thus:) 

W. R. — Worthy Shepherd, investigation has been 
made as you directed by our Worthy Patrol, who 
directs me to say satisfactory assurance has been 
given that the candidate is uninfluenced by merce- 



The Silver Cloud Degree. 39 

nary motives or by undue solicitation of friends; 
that he has a favorable impression of our noble 
Order, and carries within his breast a sincere de- 
sire to ameliorate the conditions of others as well 
as himself ; that he will meet all obligations due the 
sanctuary as he becomes subject thereto, and will 
in nowise hesitate to go to the relief of those who 
are worthy, whether in sickness or in distress ; that 
he will faithfully perforin all duties imposed by 
legal authority, and will in all things cheerfully 
conform to the secret rites, customs, usages and 
forms of our institution; and, in evidence of the 
same, here is now tendered the balance of the ad- 
mission fee. Our Worthy Patrol recommends that 
we proceed. 

W. S. — Acting upon the recommendation of 
our Worthy Patrol as reported by the Worthy Re- 
corder, the Worthy Senior Usher is now directed to 
proceed to the ante-room, where he will find a can- 
didate for the mysteries of our Order. Having 
properly advised and prepared the candidate, with 
the assistance of our Worthy Patrol, whom you will 
find there waiting, escort him through "Eden" in 
conformity with our customs and practices. 

(The Worthy Recorder resumes his station, the 
Worthy Senior Usher comes before the altar and 
makes the due-guard sign of the degree, and then 
retires to the ante-room where the candidate is pre- 
pared as follows: 



40 Ancient Order of Pilgrims. 

The hat and gloves are removed, as well as all un- 
necessary wraps, and the candidate is hood-winked, 
his hands being bound together with a white silken 
cord.) 

W. S. U. (Raps **—**). 

W. J. U. (Responds tlws, * — *). Who comes 
here? 

W. S. U. — A stranger in Eden, blind and in 
darkness (the door being partly opened by the W. 
J. XL), but now seeking knowledge and light. 

W. J. IT. — Of your laudable desires and desti- 
tute condition our Worthy Shepherd will at once 
be informed. 

(The door is closed and the Worthy Junior Usher 
appears before the altar, and after making ** — ** 
raps, as before, and the due-guard sign, which is re- 
sponded to by the Worthy Shepherd with * — * raps, 
and then the Worthy Shepherd says:) 

W. S. (Raps * — *) — What is the purpose of this 
strange alarm, Worthy Junior Usher? 

W. J. U. — Worthy Shepherd, in behalf of a 
stranger to Eden who is blind and in darkness, we 
appeal for light and knowledge. 

W. S. — If the stranger is properly prepared, he 

having apparently the proper qualifications, let 

him enter by way of the East gate. 

(The Worthy Junior Usher makes the due-guard 
sign of the degree, and going back to the inner door 
he says: ) 



The Silver Cloud Degree. 41 

W. J. U. — Worthy Senior Usher, it is by the or- 
ders of the Worthy Shepherd that you are permit- 
ted to enter with the candidate for the purpose of 
prosecuting the object of your search. 

(The Worthy Senior Usher, carrying the Shep- 
herd's Crook, enters with the candidate" who is on the 
left, while the Worthy Patrol walks behind, with his 
staff in hand; the Worthy Shepherd calls up the 
sanctuary by *** — * — *** raps, and the candidate is 
marched three times around the room, passing by the 
way of the North first. During the journey the mem- 
bers sing, and on the second approach to the station 
in the South the Worthy Patrol must occupy his sta- 
tion; and, on the last approach to the station in the 
South the candidate is halted before the Worthy 
Patrol.) 

W. S. U. (**—**, on the floor with the Crook). 

W. P. (* — *) — Who art thou, and whither art 
thou traveling? 

Candidate (Prompted by W. S. U.) — A poor, 
wayfaring stranger, who is blind and in darkness, 
traveling toward the East, in search of light and 
knowledge. 

W. P. — What prompts you to be thus engaged? 

Candidate (prompted) — A desire to gain light 
and knowledge, and an earnest desire to ameliorate 
the condition of myself and my fellow creatures. 

W. P. — Stranger, your aspirations are lofty and 
your motives the most worthy. Speed thee on thy 
journey. 



42 Ancient Order of Pilgrims. 

(The candidate is then conducted twice around the 
room in the same direction as before, stopping at the 
station in the West on the second approach, during 
which time the Worthy Vice-Shepherd reads the fol- 
lowing, so timed as to conclude with the approach 
of the candidate: ) 

W. V. S. (reads)— "And the Lord God planted 
a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the 
man whom he had formed. 

And out of the ground made the Lord God to 
grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and 
good for food ; the tree of life also in the midst of 
the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and 
evil. 

And the Lord God took the man, and put him 
into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it. 

And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, 
'Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely 
eat; 

But of the tree of the knowledge of good and 
evil, thou shalt not eat of it : for the day thou 
eatest thereof thou shalt surely die/ " — Genesis 
2:8-9; 15-17.) 

W. S. U. (Raps **— ** on the floor with the 
Crook). 

W. V. S. (Raps * — *) — Who comes here, and 
whither dost thou journey? 



The Silver Cloud Degree. 43 

Candidate (prompted) — A wayfaring stranger 
blind and in darkness, seeking not only light and 
knowledge, bnt rest in Eden. 

W. V. S. — What motive prompts thee to be thus 
engaged ? 

Candidate (prompted) — A desire to gain light 
and knowledge, and to ameliorate my present con- 
dition, as well as that of others; for to subdue the 
earth and to exercise dominion over "every creep- 
ing thing that creepeth upon the earth'' require all 
that power which light and knowledge give. 

W. Y. S. — Stranger, your aspirations are lofty 
and your motives, for the most part, worthy. In 
keeping with our traditions and customs, I will 
permit you to be conducted to our Worthy Shep- 
herd, who will further initiate you in the mysteries 
of ancient Eden. 

As you stand here in darkness, and probably 
surrounded by dangers of which you are unaware, 
you must be advised of the obstacles which might 
confront you during your search through Eden. 
And as a yearning chasm may open wide at your 
feet at any stage of your journey, so it might be in 
your search for the true light and knowledge from 
above, in your travels through this world. 

Eden is a place of delight and pleasantries, and 
in it is not only the "tree of knowledge/' but the 



44 Ancient Order of Pilgrims. 

"tree of life." Our mission is to help you suc- 
ceed in your search, and now, having been thus 
admonished, is it your distinct purpose to continue 
your search as already begun? 

Candidate (prompted) — That is my purpose. 

W. V. S. — Worthy Shepherd, in the presence of 
the officers and members assembled, I have assured 
myself that this stranger is willing to continue his 
(her) journey towards the East in search of the 
light and knowledge radiating from our ancient 
mysteries, and that he (she) is prompted by a 
sincere desire to be of service to his (her) fellow 
creatures. To your care I commend him (her) 
with the utmost confidence. Stranger, speed thee 
on thy journey. 

(The candidate is conducted once around the room 
in the same direction as before, and is confronted at 
the altar by the Worthy Shepherd. During this jour- 
ney he meets with many obstructions placed in his 
pathway by the members, who are making much 
noise and confusion. At regular intervals during the 
journey several members, previously selected by the 
Worthy Shepherd, make the following exclamation: 
"Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest 
he fall.") 

W. S. (Rapping for order) — Brethren and sis- 
ters, why is our peace in Eden so much disturbed 
by unseemly interruptions? 

W. V. S. — Worthy Shepherd, a stranger has 
taken residence in Eden, and contrary to our regu- 



The Silver Cloud Degree. 45 

lations and customs, he now seeks the garden in 
the East to find the "tree of life/ 5 that he may live 
forever. 

W. S. — Brethren and sisters, let us remember the 
time when you and I were strangers here, and be- 
cause of our indiscretion and disobedience we were 
sent forth from Eden to toil and wander. May 
we not be merciful to a stranger ? 

Members — "His truth endureth forever and His 
mercy is everlasting." 

W. S. — Stranger, by the wishes of the members 
mercy will be shown you. Let this be a warning 
to you that in traveling through this unfriendly 
world each must depend upon the other, and that 
one can not live unto himself. Having gone thus 
far, are you willing to take upon yourself the ob- 
ligation as required, and to further prosecute your 
search ? 

Candidate {prompted) — I am. 

(The candidate is placed in standing position before 
the altar, facing the Worthy Shepherd. His left hand 
is placed upon the altar emblem resting on the Holy- 
Bible opened to Exodus 20, 5-6; his right hand ele- 
vated as if to pluck the fruit from the "tree of knowl- 
edge.") 

W. S. IT. — The candidate is in order, Worthy 
Shepherd. 



46 Ancient Order of Pilgrims. 

(The members are called up by *** — * — *** raps of 
the gavel, and while standing on the sign of the de- 
gree the candidate is thus obligated:) 

W. S. (***_*_***)_t ? , of my 

own accord, and in the presence of Almighty God 

and the members here assembled, do most solemnly 

promise and affirm, at the altar, that I will keep 

concealed all of the secrets and mysteries' of this 

degree; and that I will never expose them nor any 

part of them to any person, except it be to a true 

and lawful member of this degree, in accordance 

with the custom, usages, and regulations of the 

Order. 

With the established sacred rites, customs and 
ceremonies I promise and swear to cheerfully con- 
form, and I shall not, so far as it may in my power 
lie, permit them to be exposed in any place or on 
any occasion in a manner to be unlawfully ob- 
served or obtained by those unworthy to receive 
them. 

All this I most sincerely promise and swear, 
without any mental reservation whatever, binding 
myself under no less penalty than that I be forever 
denied the rights and privileges of the ancient mys- 
teries of Eden, and that my right arm be severed 
from my body, so help me God. 

(The Worthy Shepherd holds a piece of fruit high 
above the reach of the candidate, and commands him 
thus : ) 



The Silver Cloud Degree. 47 

W. S. — Reach forth thy hand for the object of 
your search, but violate not the laws of Eden. 

(The candidate reaches up with the right hand, but 
fails.) 

W. S. — Stretch forth thy hand, stranger, for the 
object of your search; but let us remind you that 
your selection will be the true test of your discre- 
tion in exercising your dominion over everything 
that creepeth. 

(The candidate reaches up and his hand is pricked 
with a sharp instrument.) 

(The candidate reaches up again and again until he 
finally finds the piece of fruit, and is quietly advised 
by the Worthy Senior Usher to eat what he finds — 
handing the last piece to his nearest companion, 
which piece of the fruit is taken by a member stand 
ing near.) 

W. S. — Brother (sister), , in 

your present condition what would you most de- 
sire? 

Candidate (prompted) — Having gained know- 
ledge, give me the light of truth. 

W. S. (Baps **, seating the sanctuary) — Well 
said, my friend and brother (sister) ; Worthy Se- 
nior Usher, reveal the truth. 

(The candidate is conducted twice around the room 
in the same direction as before, while the Worthy 
Vice-Shepherd reads the following, so timed as to 
conclude when the candidate is again halted at the 
altar. ) 



48 Ancient Order oe Pilgrims. 

W. V. S.— "And the Lord God said . . . 'and dust 
shalt thou eat all the days of thy life. 5 " (Gen. 
3:14.) "I will greatly multiply thy sorrow." 
(Gen. 3 :16.) "Because thou . . . hast eaten of the 
tree of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou 
shalt not eat of it; cursed is the ground for thy 
sake ; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of 
thy life ; ... for dust thou art and unto dust shalt 
thou return." (Gen. 3 :17-19.) "So he drove out 
the man; and he placed at the east of the Garden 
of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword, which 
turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of 
life." (Gen. 3:24.) 

W. S. (*** — * — *** raps) — Brethren and sis- 
ters, your assistance is required in bringing our 
brother to the true light. 

(At the sound of the gavel the members form a 
circle around the altar, the Worthy Senior Usher pre- 
pares to remove the hoodwink, which is done sud- 
denly, just as the Worthy Shepherd pronounces the 
last word of the passage of Scripture, which is read 
three times; and, as the hoodwink is removed the 
members make a sudden crash of noise by violently 
stamping their feet and clapping their hands together 
once. Following is the passage:) 

W. S. — "And the eyes of them both were 
opened." (Gen. 3:7.) 

W. S. (** raps, seating the members) — My 
brother (sister), we have, to a certain extent, given 



The Silver Cloud Degree. 49 

you both light and knowledge to make manifest to 
you our desire to comfort you in time of sorrow 
and affliction, which you must of necessity expe- 
rience in your travels through a friendless world. 

You will find it incumbent upon you to revere 
and honor our most sacred and elevating princi- 
ples by an unblemished course of conduct, and 
conscientious uprighteousness best calculated to re- 
flect credit not upon yourself only, but that you 
may add dignity to the fraternity with whose prog- 
ress your own welfare and interest are now asso- 
ciated. 

It is our first duty to remind you of the frailty 
of human hands and of the vanity of human 
wishes, as shown by your own persistent desire to 
proceed in your journey for the object of your 
search without invoking the guidance and direction 
of your Creator. And just as your failure in that 
respect — your self-dependence — brought you al- 
most to disaster during your search in this particu- 
lar case, so may you have a disastrous fate, if it is 
your purpose to journey through life unsupported 
by the word of truth of the Supreme Worthy 
Shepherd of the Universe. 

Our first degree, the Silver Cloud, is emblemat- 
ical of the pitiful plight and condition of the first 
residents of Eden, who, on account of their irrev- 



50 Ancient Order of Pilgrims. 

erence for divine authority, were driven forth upon 
the earth to toil and wander. Sorrows overwhelmed 
them, and troubles' gathered about them thick and 
fast, for of the earth it had been said, "thorns and 
thistles shall it bring forth, to -thee." But in the 
floodtime of their grief and sorrows, 'midst con- 
flicts and doubts and fears, and when "the wicked- 
ness of man was great in the earth, and every imag- 
ination of the thoughts of his heart was evil con- 
tinually," and the Lord repented that he had made 
man, the bright ray of hope, the silver lining be- 
hind the cloud, was that "Noah found grace in the 
eyes of the Lord." 

(Here the candidate is invested with the hadge of 
the first degree, — a white rose.) 

W. S. — My brother (sister), you have been in- 
vested with the badge and color of this degree, a 
white rose taken from a tree in the Garden of 
Eden by the rightful hand of authority. It is 
symbolical of purity and peace, and is emblemati- 
cal of the victory and rejoicing that ultimately 
come to those who shape their lives and conduct by 
our ancient usages. 

I call your attention (pointing to the Holy 
Bible and the altar emblem on the altar) to the 
arrangement of the altar: "I the Lord thy God 
am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fath- 
ers upon the children unto the third and fourth 



The Silver Cloud Degree. 51 

generation of them that hate me; and shewing 
mercy unto thousands' of them that love me and 
keep my commandments/' (Exo. 20:5-6.) 

Thus you have the foundation for our first car- 
dinal principle, LOVE, and are reminded that dis- 
obedience and irreverence for authority grows out , 
of disregard of our first cardinal principle, as just 
cited for attention. The iniquity of the residents 
of Eden was visited upon their children, who had 
envy and hate rather than love in their hearts and 
who made unto God an unacceptable offering. The 
altar emblem will be explained to you when you are 
further advanced. 

THE SIGN" OF THE DEGREE. 

W. S. — The sign of the Silver Cloud Degree is 
made thus : 

(Reach forth the right hand to such a position as 
would be required to pick fruit from a tree, hanging 
a little above the head.) 

and is the manner in which your right hand was 
held as you obligated yourself to our ancient rites, 
customs and usages. It is emblematical of the 
effort you made, while still in darkness, in reaching 
forth for the object of your search. 

Your effort in reaching forth several times serves 
to remind you how persistent our f oreparents' were 



52 Ancient Order of Pilgrims. 

in their desire to transgress God's laws in Eden, 
and the sharp instrument with which your hand 
came in contact was typical of the naming swords 
wielded by the Cherubims, that no transgressor 
might re-enter beautiful Eden. This sign, my 
brother (sister), is not only impressive because of 
its truthfulness and beauty, but serves to inculcate 
in our mind obedience and authority to God's law, 
and the punishment which must ultimately come 
for violation of that not ours to appropriate. 

THE DUE-GUAED SIGN. 

W. S. — The due-guard sign of the Silver Cloud 
Degree is made thus : 

(Reaching forth the right hand as if presenting the 
fruit from the tree in the garden to another, drop- 
ping the hand suddenly.) 

and is the position your hand was in after you had 
found, as you thought, the object of your search. 

It is typical of the act of the "mother of all 
living"' when she gave of the tree of knowledge to 
her companion in Eden. Let it remind you of the 
humiliation and shame you must suffer, and the 
deplorable depth of sin to which you have fallen, 
if after transgression and disobedience of God's 
law, you have influenced others in any way to 
transgress. Therefore, we shall not only expect 



The Silver Cloud Degree. 53 

you to live in harmony with the laws of our insti- 
tution and your country, but we would be grieved 
very much to have you exert a baneful influence 
upon your associates. 

As a constant reminder of the responsibility 
resting upon you, when you arise to speak in a 
sanctuary duly and lawfully constituted, it is in- 
cumbent upon you to salute the Worthy Shepherd 
with this sign. If, on your arrival, the sanctuary 
has been regularly opened, then before you are 
seated be careful to appear before the altar and 
salute the Worthy Shepherd with the sign of the 
degree, followed by the due-guard sign. 

THE GEIP AND PASSWOED. 

W. S. — The grip in this degree is made thus, 

and the password is : "ma — i — ym — b rs — 

r.p..k." 

(The Worthy Shepherd and the candidate grasp the 
right hands in the ordinary way, the former whispers 
gently into the ear of the candidate the pass-word.) 

The word in this degree is always associated 
with the grip, and in order to impress you at all 
times with your social responsibility, and as to how 
the iniquity of the first residents of Eden was visit- 
ed upon their children. As a test, it is thus often 
given : 



54 Ancient Order of Pilgrims. 

(The Worthy Shepherd and the candidate grasp the 
right hands, and the Worthy Senior Usher prompts 
the candidate thus:) 

W. S.— "erehw— si— t. y— r. . . .b." 

Candidate {prompted) — "ma — i — ym — b 

rs — r. p. .k." 

W. S.— "i— t. . .t— uoy— a. e— ym— f . . . .d." 

THE UNBROKEN CHAIN. 

W. S. — The -unbroken chain, made thus : 

(The Worthy Shepherd and the Worthy Senior 
Usher stand one on either side of the candidate, all 
three clasping their hands with their forearms 
crossed and the fingers interlocked.) 

is emblematical of the manner in which Adam and 
Eve departed from Eden, wiser but weaker. By it 
you will advance from one stage in our ancient rites 
and customs to another, and by it we are taught 
the duty of walking hand in hand through the 
struggle of an earthly life, and the duty of helping 
each other to surmount life's difficulties and to 
bear up under its disappointments. 

W. S. — My brother (sister), I assure you that 
nothing has been done in derision, but we trust 
that there have been imparted to you some useful 
lessons, which we hope shall influence your life 
through all the years to come. 



The Silver Cloud Degree. 55 

The silken cord by which you were bound is 
typical of the cords of friendship, respect and ad- 
miration, which unite us all into one common bond 
of fellowship ; and you were blindfolded that your 
heart and mind might be more easily concentrated 
upon the secrets and principles without distraction, 
and that those not connected witft us by rites and 
ceremonies might be kept in darkness ; the obstacles 
in your pathway, in your journey around the room, 
were to remind you of the struggles accompanying 
the duties of this life, and the trials, dangers and 
vicissitudes of our earthly journey; the member 
who accompanied you during the evening is typical 
of Him who is ever ready to come to your aid in 
time of need or distress ; each stop in your journey 
about the room is emblematical of well marked 
and denned stages of progress and development, 
not only in your advancement in our ancient mys- 
teries, but in your life's journey — they mark ha- 
vens of rest and comfort in your earthly career. 

W. S. — Worthy Senior Usher, you may retire 
with the brother (sister) to the ante-room and give 
proper instruction in regard to gaining admission 
to the sanctuary when convened in the Silver Cloud 
Degree. 

(The Worthy Senior Usher and the candidate make 
the due-guard sign to the Worthy Shepherd, who has 
resumed his station in the East, and retire to the 



56 Anciext Order of Pilgrims. 

outside of the ante-room, where the candidate is in- 
structed how to enter the ante-room, and then the 
sanctuary. They both enter in due form and de- 
corum, appear before the altar, whereupon the Worthy 
Shepherd says: ) 

W. S. — Brother (sister) , you 

will associate yourself with some of the members 
well known to you, any one of whom will gladly 
assist you to become proficient in the work of the 
Silver Cloud Degree, evidence of which you must 
give prior to further advancement in our ancient 
mysteries. 

LECTURE. 

Question — My brother (companion) in Eden, I 
presume. 

Answer — No, (the companion of) thy brother's 
keeper. 

Ques. — Then you alarmed the Gates of Eden 
with strange signals, and was admitted? 

Ans. — Not because of the strange signals, but be- 
cause of my purpose. 

Ques. — What was the purpose of your entrance ? 

Ans. — A desire for light and knowledge to ame- 
liorate the condition of myself and others, for to 
subdue the earth and exercise dominion over every 
creeping thing require all that power which light 
and knowledge give. 



The Silver Cloud Degeee. 57 

Ques. — How were you admonished in reference 
to Eden? 

Ans. — Standing in darkness, I was admonished 
that my motives were lofty and that the journey 
through Eden would be conducted in accordance 
with its ancient traditions; that Eden was a place 
of delights and pleasantries, and in it was not only 
the "tree of knowledge" but the "tree of life." 

Ques. — How was your journey in Eden prose- 
cuted ? 

Ans. — Having journeyed three days from the 
West toward the East, I proved myself qualified; 
after two days" journey in the same direction, the 
regulations of Eden were made known to me, and 
my purpose was declared, iinother day's journey 
revealed to me the error of relying upon self alone, 
whereupon the residents of Eden taught me that 
"His truth endureth forever and His mercy is ever- 
lasting." 

Ques. — Did you acknowledge that each must de- 
pend upon the other? 

Ans. — I did by my obligation. But in the prose- 
cution of my journey my transgression was to 
gather from the "tree of knowledge," and lest I 
should partake of the "tree of life," contrary to 
the laws of Eden, I was driven from Eden to be- 
come a wanderer. 



58 Ancient Order of Pilgrims. 

Ques. — What was the punishment, if any, for 
this transgression? 

Ans. — That "His truth might endure forever," 
of the serpent that beguiled 'twas said, "Dust shalt 
thou eat all the days of thy life ;" of my companion 
(female) "I will greatly multiply thy sorrow," but 
to me, "Cursed is the ground for thy sake .... dust 
thou art, and unto dust thou shalt return." 

v Ques. — What provision was made for the protec- 
tion of Eden? 

Ans. — The man he drove from Eden, and at 
the gate were placed the Cherubims with the flam- 
ing swords to keep the way of the "tree of life." 

Ques. — Having spoken of standing in darkness, 
how were the eyes of both of you opened ? 

Ans. — My eyes were opened after the manner in 
Eden, and standing at the altar I beheld the Silver 
Lining behind the cloud. 

Ques. — What was that, my friend? 

Ans. — The Silver Cloud was that Patriarch Noah 
had found grace in the eyes of the Lord, and 
though I could not enter Eden the arrangement of 
the altar made impressive the importance of our 
first cardinal principle, Love. 

Ques. — How do you explain this first principle? 



The Silver Cloud Degree. 59 

Ans. — Mercy is shown to the thousands that 
love Him. His iniquity was visited upon the chil- 
dren of the residents of Eden who had envy and 
hate rather than love in their hearts, and who 
made an unacceptable offering. 

Ques. — What was the true light and knowledge 
gained in the prosecution of your search in Eden? 

Ans. — The signs and secrets of the Silver Cloud 
Degree. 

Ques. — How do you explain the signs and the 
flaming sword? 

Ans. — The sign of the Silver Cloud Degree 
(making the sign) indicates the manner in which 
my right hand was held as I vowed allegiance to 
the ancient rites, customs and usages. It reminds 
us of our persistent efforts in darkness to trans- 
gress God's laws. It inculcates obedience to His 
laws, reverence for authority. 

The due-guard sign of the Silver Cloud Degree 
(making the sign) represents the act of the "moth- 
er of all living" when she gave of the "tree of 
knoAvledge." It should remind us of the deplorable 
depth of sin to which we sink, if, after transgres- 
sion, we influence others in any way to transgress. 

The flaming sword is typical of the swiftness 
and certainty of the punishment which must ulti- 



60 Ancient Order of Pilgrims. 

mately come for the violation of that not ours to 
appropriate. 

The unbroken chain is emblematical of the man- 
ner in which Adam and Eve departed from Eden, 
weaker bnt wiser. By it we advance from one de- 
gree to another, and are taught the duty of walk- 
ing hand in hand. 

Ques. — If you walk hand in hand, "erew — si — t. 
y— r b? w 

Ans. — "ma — i — ym — b rs — r.p. .k." 

Ques. — "i — t. . .t — uoy — a.e, — ym — f . . . .d." 

Ans. — "ecnis — i — l.f t — ed.n — i — ev.h — b . . n." 



THE STAR DEGREE 

(BLUE) 



The arrangement of the officers' stations in the 
Star Degree is not unlike that in the Silver Cloud 
Degree, and because it has for its purpose the 
teaching of the principles of not only obedience 
and benevolence but the sublime faith with which 
the Patriarch Noah was imbued, those who have at- 
tained the degree in a regularly and lawfully con- 
stituted sanctuary of Pilgrims are referred to as 
"builders on the Ark/' 

Supposing the sanctuary to have been properly 
opened in the Star Degree, and the candidate, who 
has been regularly initiated into the mysteries of 
the Silver Cloud Degree, and proven his efficiency 
therein, is in the ante-room, all of which is known 
to the Worthy Shepherd, and that the candidate 
can be vouched for by members present, the 
Worthy Shepherd will say: 

W. S. (Raps *) — Worthy Senior Usher, you will 
proceed to the ante-room where you will find a 
stranger, who was once a "dweller in Eden;" a 
human creature suffering the penalty of disobedi- 
ence. Worthy Patrol, you will accompany our 



62 Ancient Order of Pilgrims. 

Worthy Senior Usher and lend jowt assistance in 
preparing this wanderer from Eden for construc- 
tive work upon the Ark. 

(The two officers mentioned rise at the sound of 
the gavel, appear in front of the altar, facing the 
East, make the due-guard sign of the degree, retire 
to the ante-room, and prepare the candidate whom 
they find waiting, by adjusting the hoodwink, and in 
addition thereto a blue silken cord is adjusted about 
the body so that two laps pass over the left shoulder 
and under the right arm. Having thus prepared the 
candidate, the Worthy Senior Usher alarms the inner 
door by five distinct raps, thus:) 

W. S. U.— (RcCps thus, **_*_**) . 

W. J. U. (Responds * — * — *, opening the door 
slightly) — Who comes here? 

W. S. U. (For the candidate) — A fugitive from 
the East of Eden. 

W. J. U. — And why are you a fugitive, my 

friend ? 

W. S. U. (For the candidate) — Not having been 
my brother's keeper, the ground I tilleth doth not 
yield unto me its strength. 

W. J. U. — What brought you, my brother (sis- 
ter), to such a state of destitution? 

W. S. U. (For the candidate) — Residing in 
Eden, my transgression was in partaking of the 
"tree of knowledge of good and evil," but lest I 



The Star Degree. 63 

should put forth my hand and take also of the 
"tree of life" and "live forever," I was driven forth 
from Eden to wander and toil. 

W. J. U. — Have you no hope, my brother, that 
in the course of time the gates of Eden may yet 
swing open to you, if, keeping the faith, you make 
your journey as you have been directed? 

W. S. U. (For the candidate) — The gates of 
Eden are guarded by the Cherubims armed with 
the flaming swords that the "tree of life" might be 
the better protected, and unless I can locate the 
Star that shall guide me, to me and mine, Eden is 
forever lost. 

W. J. U. — If you have the word, my brother, to 
protect us "from everyone that findeth you," we 
shall pursue our journey together guided by the 
Star. 

(The candidate is allowed to enter, walking hand 
in hand with the Worthy Senior Usher, the Worthy- 
Patrol following after and holding one end of the 
blue cord adjusted about the body of the candidate, 
two laps of which pass over the left shoulder and 
under the right arm of the candidate. They pass 
three times around the room, by way of the North 
first, stopping at the station in the West, and during 
this time the Worthy Shepherd and the Worthy Vice- 
Shepherd read the following:) 

W. S. (Reads) — "I exhort you to contend earn- 
estly for the faith, for there are certain men crept 



64: Ancient Order of Pilgrims. 

in unawares, and resisting the only Lord God. 
Woe unto them ! for they have gone the way of 
Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam 
for a reward. Clouds they are without water ; rag- 
ing waves of the sea, foaming out of their own 
shame; wandering stars to whom is reserved the 
blackness of darkness forever." — Jude. 

W. S. U. (For the candidate)— "I will lift up 
mine eyes unto the hills from whence cometh my 
help," for I am my brother's keeper. 

W. V. S. (Reads) — "And he called his name 
Noah, saying, this same shall comfort us concern- 
ing our work and toil of our hands, because of the 
ground which the Lord hath cursed." (Gen. 5 :29.) 

"And it came to pass, when men began to mul- 
tiply on the face of the earth .... that the sons of 
God saw the daughters of men that they were 
fair. . . .and the Lord said, My spirit shall not al- 
ways strive with man, for that he also is flesh : yet, 
his days shall be an hundred and twenty years." 

"And God saw that the wickedness of man was 
very great in the earth, and that every imagina- 
tion of the thoughts of his heart was only evil con- 
tinually," "And it repented the Lord that he had 
made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his 
heart. And the Lord said, I will destroy man 
whom I have created from the face of the earth ; 



The Star Degree. 65 

both man and beast, and the creeping thing, and 
the fowls of the air, for it repented me that I 
have made them." (Gen. 6:1-7.) 

W. S. U. (For the candidate)— "But Noah 
found grace in the eyes of the Lord." 

(The foregoing reading by the' Worthy Shepherd 
and the Worthy Vice-Shepherd, together with the re- 
sponses by the Worthy Senior Usher, must be so 
timed as to conclude just as the candidate reaches 
the station in the West after his third journey around 
the room, when the Worthy Senior Usher raps on the 
floor, thus:) 

W. S. U. — (** — * — ** raps on the floor with his 
Crook.) 

W. V. S. (* — * — * raps) — Who comes here? 

W. S. U. (For the candidate) — A fugitive from 
the East of Eden. 

W. V. S. — And why are you a fugitive, my 
friend ? 

W. S. U. (For the candidate) — Not having been 
my brother's keeper, the ground I tilleth doth not 
yield unto me its strength. 

W. V. S. — What brought you, my brother (sis- 
ter), to such a state of destitution? 

W. S. U. (For the candidate) — Residing in 
Eden, my transgression was in partaking of the 
"tree of knowledge of good and evil;" but lest I 
should put forth my hand and take also of the 



66 Ancient Order of Pilgrims. 

"tree of life" and "live forever," I was driven 
forth from Eden to wander and toil. 

W. V. S. — Have you no hope, my brother (sis- 
ter), that in the course of time the gates of Eden 
may yet swing open to yon, if, keeping the faith, 
yon make your journey as you have been directed ? 

W. S. IT. (For the candidate) — The gates of 
Eden are guarded by the Cherubims armed with 
the naming swords that the "tree of life" might be 
the better protected, and unless I can locate the 
Star that shall guide me, to me and mine, Eden is 
forever lost. 

W. V. S. — If you have the word, my brother 
(sister), to protect you "from everyone that find- 
eth you," your journey may be pursued under the 
guidance of the Star. For the promise to the faith- 
ful is this : "There shall come a Star out of Jacob, 
and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel." (Num. 
24:17.) 

(The candidate is conducted three times around the 
room, in the same direction as before, to the station 
of the Worthy Shepherd in the East, who reads the 
following, so timed as to conclude on the last ap- 
proach of the candidate:) 

W. S. (Reads) — "Noah was a just man and 
perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with 
God." (Gen. 6:9.) 

"And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it 
was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way 



The Star Degree. 67 

upon the earth. And God said nnto Noah, The end 
of all flesh is come before' me; for the earth is 
filled with violence through them, and, behold, I 
will destroy them with the earth." (Gen. 6 :12-13.) 

W. V. S. and Members (In unison) — "Make thee 
an Ark of gopher wood." (Gen. 6 :14v) 

W. S. — "Thus did Noah; according to all that 
God commanded him, so did he." (Gen. 6:22.) 

(During the reading of the foregoing by the 
Worthy Shepherd and the Worthy Vice-Shepherd the 
candidate is conducted three times around the room 
to the station in the East, and is halted there just 
as the Worthy Shepherd Concludes the last reading, 
whereupon the Worthy Senior Usher raps on the floor 
thus:) 

W. S. U. (** — * — ** raps on the floor with the 
Crook.) 

W. S. (Responds * — * — * raps) — Who comes 
here? 

W. S. U. (For the candidate) — A vagabond and 
wanderer from the east of Eden, now his brother's 
keeper. Weary of his search for a mystic star that 
shall guide him in his journey to a place of refuge, 
his determination is to assist in the construction 
of the Ark, to better escape the coming flood. 

W. S. — His desire is a laudable one, and his aim 
praiseworthy ; but, before we can surfer you to pass, 



68 Ancient Order of Pilgrims. 

my brother (sister), we demand the word that shall 
protect you from all those who "may find you." 

W. S. U. (For the candidate) — "ma — i — ym — b 
rs — r.p . . k." 

W. S. — Upon this declaration, my brother, we 
provide you with that by which you may be all the 
better prepared to carry out the purpose of your 
intentions. Worthy Senior Usher, you will con- 
duct the wanderer to the altar, where he may there 
make the vow, confirming this declaration. 

(While thus speaking the Worthy Shepherd pre- 
sents to the candidate a Holy Bible, which is held 
against the bosom by the left hand. The candidate is 
conducted once around the room in the same direc- 
tion as before, to the altar, during which time all the 
members, led by the Worthy Vice-Shepherd, repeat 
again and again the following: ) 

W. V. S. and Members — "Come thou and all thy 

house into the Ark; for thee have I seen righteous 

before me in this generation/' (Gen. 7:1.) 

(The Worthy Shepherd approaches the altar, and 
calls up the members by *** — * — *** raps, who stand 
on the sign of the degree. The Worthy Shepherd in- 
structs the candidate to repeat after him as follows: ) 

OBLIGATION. 
W. S. (*** — * — *** raps) — In addition to my 
former vow and obligation. I , do most sol- 
emnly and sincerely promise, in the presence of 
the members here assembled before the altar, that 



The Star Degree. 69 

I will in nowise make known the business, if any, 
conducted in this degree ; nor will I in any manner 
make known the secrets, principles and usages of 
the fraternity as they are taught by this degree, or 
by any other degree to which I might be in the 
future advanced; nor to any -person whomsoever, 
unless said person is in all things as equally entitled 
to such knowledge as I am myself. 

I further promise and vow my allegiance to the 
Order, and to all its principles, usages and cus- 
toms — especially as exemplified and taught by this 
degree, lest I become, in fact and in truth, a wan- 
derer and a vagabond unworthy of the respect and 
confidence of not only my fraternal associates but 
my fellowmen as well, so help me God. 

W. S. — Brother , what now do you 

most desire ? 

Candidate (Prompted) — To behold with my 
eyes the grandeur of the Ark. 

(As the Worthy Shepherd concludes the reading of 
the following with the sound of the gavel, the hood- 
wink is removed suddenly by the Worthy Patrol, when 
the candidate beholds all the members standing on 
the sign of the degree.) 

W. S. (Reads) — "Is it not a very little while, 
and Lebanon shall be turned into a fruitful field, 
and the fruitful field shall be esteemed as a forest ! 
And in that day shall the deaf hear the words of 



70 Ancient Order of Pilgrims. 

the book (striking the Holy Bible, held by the 
candidate, with the gavel), and the eyes of the 
blind shall see out of obscurity, and out of dark- 
ness." (Isa. 29:17-18.) 

W. S. (Raps *) — Thus we came toward the East 
from Eden. 

(Members form the unbroken chain in pairs.) 

W. S. (Raps *) — And the righteous, we salute 
thus. 

(Members make the due-guard sign of the degree.) 

W. S. (** raps, seating the sanctuary) — Brother 
, during that period of the world's his- 
tory following the expulsion of man from Eden, 
because of disobedience, wickedness and sin, the 
creatures of earth made in His image reached their 
most degenerate stage; and Jehovah repented him- 
self of that part of his handiwork. His resolve 
was to destroy both man and beast from the face of 
the earth, for his many generations of wandering 
from one habitat to another, his privations and 
toils had not made him subservient to the will of 
his Creator. 

But the Patriarch Noah was a just and perfect 
man, who walked with God, as it were; and, 
through him, Jehovah elected to replenish the 
earth, immediately following the manifestation of 



The Star Degree. 71 

His power to rebuke wickedness and sin. Without 
faith it is impossible to please God, and by faith 
this honored Patriarch, warned of God "of things 
not seen as yet," moved with fear, prepared an Ark 
to the saving of his house, and by this he too con- 
demned the world and becameheir of the righteous- 
ness which is by faith. 

Xoah prepared the Ark and did all things as he 
had been commanded, and, with his three sons 
and their wives he was commanded to come into 
the Ark and be saved. It was the righteousness of 
Noah, together with his faith, that found for him 
a haven after the stage of degeneracy in the history 
of man subsequent to his fall in Eden; and we 
would therefore urge upon you to emulate his most 
excellent traits in this: that you should be obedi- 
ent to the laws of your country and your Creator, 
and condemn all wickedness and unrighteousness 
wherever found. 

The Ark that shall save you and your household 
must be the Christian church, an organized effort 
to render mankind subservient to the will of his 
Creator. To assist you in such a purpose is the 
work of our institution, and it is no less the duty 
ol this sanctuary. Should you neglect or fail to 
aid us in having it to do so, we would, to say the 
least, be very much disappointed. 



72 Ancient Order of Pilgrims. 

W. S. (Raps *) — Brethren and sisters, while the 
sweet spirit of Innocence whispers a blessing upon 
our devotion, let us sing. 

(Members sing, led by the Worthy Shepherd.) 

W. S. — My brother (sister), in your wanderings 
you found no mystic star by which you were led 
to the gates of Eden from whence you were driven ; 
and 'twas by no star that our ancient" Patriarch 
and his companion were led to a haven of refuge 
in the time of that awful destruction of the world, 
but the star which led him was the inspiration that 
came from living a consecrated life in harmony 
with God's will. May you, then, be encouraged to 
hope for a fuller realization of the principles of 
morality, and virtue, and manhood, as exempli- 
fied by this, our Star Degree, with the badge of 
which I now invest you. 

(Places on the candidate a blue badge.) 

The color in this degree is blue, and it is sym- 
bolical of true and steadfast loyalty. Let it re- 
mind you of the steadfastness of our Patriarch 
Noah, and the unswerving loyalty of his entire 
household, as they constructed the Ark and dwelt 
therein during the deluge. Our hope is that in all 
your laudable undertakings you and the members 
of your household, and your friends, will be no 
less loyal, steadfast and true — the one to the other 



The Stab Degree. 73 

— than were the members of this illustrious family 
headed by this ancient and righteous Patriarch. 

I now call your attention to the beautiful lesson 
we are taught by the Holy Bible in this degree : 

(Pointing to the arrangement of the altar.) 

"Out of all your gifts ye shall offer every heave 
offering of the Lord, of all the best thereof, even 
the hallowed part thereof, out of it." (Num. 
18:29.) 

"Every man shall give as he is able, according 
to the blessings of the Lord thy God which he hath 
given thee." (Deut. 16:17.) 

It is hardly necessary to remind you of the dire- 
ful consequence that befell the descendants of the 
former residents of Eden because of an unaccept- 
able and unworthy offering made ; but in that con- 
nection we desire to impress you with the Scrip- 
tural truth that, "he which soweth sparingly shall 
reap also sparingly," and the pertinent exhortation 
of our greatest Christian apostle, to-wit : "Let him 
that stole steal no more; but rather let him labor, 
working with his hands the thing which is good, 
that he may have to give to him that needeth." 
(Eph. 4 :28.) Thus you have, my brother (sister), 
the foundation for our second cardinal principle — 



74 Ancient Order of Pilgrims. 

BENEVOLENCE. Further explanation in refer- 
ence to the altar will be deferred to some more 
opportune time. 



THE SIGN OF THE DEGREE. 

W. S. — The sign of the degree is made thus : 

(Place the left forearm across the bosom, palm in- 
wards, the tips of the fingers extended in contact, to 
within three inches of the right shoulder.) 

You will observe this to be the manner in which 
your arm was held as you carried God's word with 
you, in your journey from the Worthy Shepherd 
in the East to the altar, and in which manner you 
took the vow a second time. 

It is symbolical of the faith and trust our an- 
cient Patriarch had in the power of divine provi- 
dence to preserve and protect the faithful. May 
it serve to remind us that the Holy Bible contains 
the truths — it is the star which shall guide us — by 
which we shall make ourselves worthy to abide in 
the Eternal City, as our Ark of refuge, if we 
impress its lessons upon our hearts as you have so 
represented yourself to do on this occasion. 



The Star Degree. 75 



THE DUE-GUARD SIGN. 

W. S. — The due-guard sign of the Star Degree 
is made thus : 

(Bring the left hand to the Tight shoulder, making 
the sign of the degree; and, standing firm on the left 
foot, wheel to the right one step backward on the 
right foot, looking backwards towards the right. Drop 
the left arm suddenly.) 

It is emblematical of the position of our Pa- 
triarch Noah, when, on entering the Ark, he paused 
to ascertain if all his household would be so loyal 
as to follow him. Let it ever remind you of your 
duty and obligation to let pass no opportunity to 
advise and counsel your household, your friends, 
and associates, and more especially your brethren 
and sisters, to enter the Ark not made with hands. 
Let your conduct be such that they can not come 
to harm if, by your influence and example, they 
be led. 

THE GEIP AND PASS-WORD. 

W. S. — The grip of the Star Degree is made thus : 

(Extend the left hand opened, palm upwards. The 
candidate places thereon his left hand, palm down- 
wards, which is covered by the Worthy Shepherd 
with his right hand opened, palm downwards.) 

and it represents the manner in which our ancient 



Ancient Order of Pilgrims. 



Patriarch expressed his joy and gratification when 
joined in the ark by his loyal household. May it 
serve to remind you of the delight and pleasure 
which should be ours, to know of the well doing of 
our brethren and sisters. 

The pass-word is: "a — ts.j — dna — tc.fr.p — 
m.n," and it should point to us the most excel- 
lent traits in our ancient Patriarch, by which "he 
found grace in the eyes of the Lord." That pass 
is the joyful exclamation of those who took refuge 
in the Ark. 

In testing a brother or sister, it is often pre- 
sented thus, with the grip : 

W. S. (Extending the hand) — "ma — i — s.ht — 
ot — gr . . t — our — tn . . cna — p . tr . . rch, — or — si — it 
— eno — o f — & . h — 1 . y . 1 — dl . h . s . . h." 

W. S. U. (Candidate covering with his left) — 
"n . . h — s . w — a — ts . j — m . n." 

W. S. (Covering with his right) — "dn. — tc. 
fr.p." 

W. S. XL— "ni— s.h— g.n.r.t. .ns." 

W. S.— "11. w— s. .d— my— dn. .rf— r.f— only 
— h. .n — r.m. .n.d — ev.la — , dna — y — ht — th.t — 
er . w — w . th — m . h." 



The Star Degree. 77 

W. S. — Worthy Senior Usher, after having in- 
structed the candidate how to enter the sanctuary 
when opened in the Star Degree, you will conduct 
him to a seat among the members. 

LECTURE. 

Question — Are you a resident of Eden ? 
Answer — Not a resident, but a fugitive from the 
east of Eden, who has seen the flaming sword. 

Ques. — What makes you a fugitive from Eden? 

Ans. — For ever so long I was not my brother's 
keeper, and the ground yielded not unto me its 
strength. 

Ques. — Having transgressed in Eden and become 
a fugitive, what hope have ye ? 

Ans. — I have the Word to protect us from every- 
one that findeth us, and I expect you to locate the 
Star that shall guide us in our journey. 

Ques. — Have you seen the star, my friend ? 

Ans. — During a three days J journey from the 
West toward the East it was impressed upon me 
that the imagination of the thoughts of the heart 
were evil; that God had repented of having made 
man, but Noah had found grace in the eyes of the 
Lord. Another three days, and my companion ad- 
vised me of the promise to the faithful. 



78 Ancient Order of Pilgrims. 

Ques. — What was the promise to the faithful ? 

Ans. — "There shall come a Star out of Jacob, 
and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel." 

Ques. — Having been advised of the promise to 
the faithful, how long thereafter before the Star 
appeared ? 

Ans. — In another three days' journey I learned 
that although the earth was corrupt, Noah was a 
just and perfect man ; but yet no star appeared. 

Ques. — When the star failed to appear, what was 
your resolve, if any? 

Ans. — The earth was to be destroyed, and to 
escape the coming flood I vowed allegiance to the 
just and perfect man, and became a builder in the 
construction of the Ark. 

Ques. — In what manner did you vow your alle- 
giance to the just and perfect Patriarch? 

Ans. — Not only by my obligation in the Star 
Degree and my firm resolve to be my brother's 
keeper did I make allegiance, but the Ark having 
been constructed I passed in with the Patriarch 
and his household to view the grandeur of the Ark 
and to be saved to serve. 

Ques. — But how did you gain entrance to the 
Ark? 



The Star Degree. 79 

Ans. — By the password, the excellent trait of our 
ancient Patriarch. 

Ques. — In what manner did you present the 



Ans. (Extending the hand) — "dna — s.ht — i — 
g. .rt — our — tn. .cna — p.tr. .rch, — or — si — it — 
eno — of — s . h — 1 . y . 1 — dl.h . s . . h." 

Ques. (Covering with the left) — "n. .h — s.w — 
a — ts . j — m . n." 

Ans. (Covering with the right) — "dn. — tc.fr 

. P ." 

Ques. — "ni — s . h — g . n . r . t . . ns." 

Ans. — "11. w — s. .d — my — dn. .rf — r.f — only — 
h . . n — r . m . . n . d — ev . la — , dna — y . ht— th.t — e r. 
w — w . th — m . h." 

Ques. — What was the grandeur you beheld in the 
Ark? 

Ans. — The arrangement of the altar suggested 
our second cardinal principle — Benevolence. The 
color of its trimmings — blue — was symbolical of 
true and steadfast loyalty, and serve to remind us 
of the loyalty we should bear to our family, our 
friends, and our institution. But the sublimest 
grandeur was the realization of the Star. 

Ques. — How did the Star so impress you ? 



80 Ancient Order of Pilgrims. 

Ans. — The Star is the inspiration which comes 
from living in harmony with God's will. The Star 
which shall guide me is the Holy Bible, for it 
contains the truths by which I shall be made to 
dwell not only in the Ark of refuge, but those by 
which I shall be made worthy to abide forever 
in the Eternal City. 

Ques. — How do we distinguish those who have 
resolved to follow the Star? 

Ans. — By the signs of the Star Degree. 

Ques. — What are they and how explained, my 
friend ? 

Ans. — The sign of the Star Degree (making 
it) alludes to the manner in which I carried the 
Holy Bible to the altar, and it is s} r mbolical of 
the faith and trust our ancient Patriarch had in 
the power of divine providence to preserve and 
protect the faithful. 

The due-guard sign of the Star Degree (mak- 
ing it) is suggestive of the attitude of the Pa- 
triarch on entering the Ark as he paused to know 
if his entire household could be so loyal as to 
follow him. It serves to remind us to let pass 
no opportunity to advise and counsel our house- 
hold, our friends, and more especially our breth- 
ren and sisters, to enter the Ark not made with 
hands. 



THE CROWN DEGREE 

(PURPLE) 



When the Crown Degree is to be conferred, the 
sanctuary is regularly opened in the Crown De- 
gree, or is raised in conformity with the customs 
and Pilgrimic practices from the lower degrees. . 
The arrangement of the sanctuary is similar to 
that when conferring the other degrees, the titles 
of the officers are the same as before; and those 
who have been advanced to this degree, because 
of the lesson herein sought to be taught — that is, 
to live above that which is mean, vile and degrad- 
ing — are customarily referred to as "sojourning on 
Mount Ararat." Everything being in readiness, 
and having been advised as to the presence of the 
candidate, the Worthy Shepherd says : 

W. S. (Raps *) — Worthy Patrol, accompanied 
by the Worthy Eecorder, you will proceed to the 
ante-room, where you will find one who claims to 
have been heretofore engaged in constructive work 
on the Ark. Please satisfy yourself as to his de- 
sires in reference to his further enlightenment in 
our ancient mysteries, and his right to make de- 
mand therefor. 



82 Ancient Order of Pilgrims. 

(The officers above referred to rise at the sound 
of the gavel, appear before the altar, and facing the 
East they make the due-guard sign of the degree, and 
then retire. When upon the outside the investiga- 
tion is proceeded with thus:) 

W. P. — Mr , have you been 

regularly received and initiated in the Silver Cloud 
Degree, advanced to the Star Degree to become a 
builder upon the Ark, and proven your efficiency 
as such in a regularly constituted sanctuary of 
Pilgrims ? 

Candidate (Prompted) — I have been so re- 
ceived, and have proven my efficiency. 

W. P. — Is it now your desire to further advance 
yourself in our ancient mysteries, and do you intend 
to make strict compliance with our ancient rites 
and ceremonies? 

Candidate (Prompted) — Such are my desires 
and intentions. 

W. P. — Having thus declared yourself, you may 
pay to our Worthy Eecorder the premium for the 
Beneficiary Department of our Order for this cur- 
rent quarter; the fee for your certificate of mem- 
bership, and advise him as to the beneficiary to be 
named therein; and wait until the Worthy Shep- 
herd shall be informed as to your desires and in- 
tentions, and his answer returned to you. 



The Crown Degree. 83 

(The candidate pays the required fees to the Re- 
corder, who enters the sanctuary, and standing at 
the altar reports thus:) 

W. E. (Making the due-guard sign) — Worthy 
Shepherd, Mr is without, who, on in- 
vestigation by the Worthy Patrol, has been found 
worthy to receive the Crown Degree; and, having 
complied with all our regulations in reference 
thereto, the Worthy Patrol directs me to request 
that you permit him to be advanced. 

W. S. (Raps *) — My brethren and sisters, you 
have heard the recommendation of our Worthy 

Patrol in regard to Mr , who is in the 

ante-room, and if there are no valid objections to 
be urged by you as to why the candidate should 
not, at this time, be further inducted into our an- 
cient rites, customs and ceremonies, the Worthy 
Senior Usher will proceed to the ante-room, pre- 
pare the candidate in conformity with our cus- 
toms, and conduct him through the mazy laby- 
rinth to the heights of Mt. Ararat. 

(The Worthy Senior Usher rises at the sound of 
the gavel, appears before the altar, and makes the 
due-guard sign of the degree; he retires to the ante- 
room, where the candidate is prepared by being blind- 
folded, a silken purple cord being adjusted about the 
body, — three laps, passing over the right shoulder 
and under the left arm. Having prepared the candi- 
date he alarms the door thus:) 

W. S. U. (**_**_** ra p S ^ 



84 Ancient Order of Pilgrims. 

W. J. U. (* — * — *, opening the door slightly) — 
Who comes here? 

W. S. II. — {For the candidate) — A weary Pil- 
grim, faithful to the end, journeying to the heights 
of Mt. Ararat. 

W. J. U. — What has induced you, my brother 
(sister), to undertake a journey so hazardous? 

W. S. U. (For the candidate) — The gateway to 
Eden is guarded by the Cherubims armed with the 
naming swords, hence there I can not enter ; a wan- 
derer and a vagabond, journeying toward the East, 
in penitence and sorrow the Ark of safety I assisted 
to construct, and was saved through the faith of 
our just and perfect Patriarch. If I carry the 
Book of the Law next to my heart, the flood hav- 
ing subsided, I must dwell upon Mt. Ararat. 

W. J. U. — How did you make your entrance 
into the Ark, my brother (sister) ? 

W. S. Ui. (For the candidate)— -With the Book 
of the Law next to my heart and the cord of blue 
adjusted about my body, symbolizing the true and 
steadfast loyalty of the faithful eight, my entrance 
was so made. 

W. J. L T . — What was the fashion of the Ark, my 
brother (sister) ? 



The Ckown Degree. 85 

W. S. U. (For the candidate) — An oblong float- 
ing house in the form of a parallelogram, three 
hundred cubits long, fifty cubits wide, thirty cubits 
high, with a roof either flat or slightly inclined, 
and having one door on the side, and one window 
in the top. 

W. J. XL — Tell us the purpose in the construction 
or this Ark, my brother (sister). 

W. S. IT. (For the candidate) — To preserve our 
ancient Patriarch and his household, together with 
certain ones of the species, from the deluge with 
which God intended to overwhelm the land, in 
punishment of the iniquities of man. 

W. J. U. — What prompts you, my brother (sis- 
ter), to refuge no longer in the Ark? 

W. S. U. (For the candidate) — Having seen the 
mountain tops, my loyalty to our ancient Patriarch 
compels me to follow where he leads me. 

W. J. TJ. — By what means do you expect to 
ascend to such heights of elevation ? 

W. S. U. (For the candidate) — With my com- 
panion, hand in hand (Senior Usher and candidate 
walking hand in hand), we will travel in our jour- 
ney from the gates of Eden towards the East, for 
we are in possession of the Word that inspired our 
ancient Patriarch. 

W. J. IT. — To what do you refer, my brother (sis- 
ter) ? 



86 Ancient Order of Pilgrims. 

W. S. XL— The pass to the Ark, "a— j . st— dna— 
p . rf . ct — n . m." ( Whispers the pass into the ear of 
the Worthy Junior Usher.) 

W. J. U. — Pursue thy journey with all diligence, 
mv brother (sister), for the waters prevail upon the 
lowlands. 

(The candidate is allowed to enter, walking hand 
in hand with the Worthy Senior Usher, who carries 
the Shepherd's Crook, while the Worthy Patrol fol- 
lows after with the Pilgrim's Staff. They pass twice 
around the room, passing by the station in the North 
first, halting at the station in the West, during which 
time the Worthy Shepherd reads the following:) 

W. S. (Reads) — "And God remembered Noah, 
and every living thing and all the cattle that was 
with him in the ark ; and God made a wind to pass 
over the earth, and the waters assuaged ; The foun- 
tains also of the deep and the windows of heaven 
were stopped, and the rain from heaven was re- 
strained; .... and after the end of the hundred 
and fifty days the waters were abated. 

"And the ark rested in the seventh month, on 
the seventh day of the month, upon the mountains 
of Ararat." (Gen. 8:1-5.) 

W. S. U.— (**—**— ** raps on the floor with 
the Crook.) 

W. V. S. (*_*_* raps)— Who comes here? 

W. S. U. (For the candidate) — A weary Pilgrim, 
faithful to the end, journeying to the heights of 
Mt. Ararat. 



The Crowx Degree. 87 

W. V. S. — What has induced you, my brother 
(sister), to undertake a journey so hazardous? 

W. S. U. (For the candidate) — The gateway to 
Eden is guarded by the Cherubims armed with the 
naming swords, hence there I can not enter ; a wan- 
derer and a vagabond^ journeying toward the East, 
in penitence and sorrow the Ark of safety I assist- 
ed to construct, and was saved through the faith 
of our just and perfect Patriarch. If I carry the 
Book of the Law next to my heart, the flood having 
subsided, I must dwell upon Mt. Ararat. 

W. V. S. — How did you make }*our entrance into 
the Ark, my brother (sister) ? 

W. S. U. (For the candidate) — With the Book of 
the Law next to my heart and the cord of blue ad- 
justed about my body, symbolizing the true and 
steadfast loyalty of the faithful eight, my entrance 
was so made. 

W. V. S.— What was the fashion of the Ark, my 
brother (sister) ? 

W. S. U. (For the candidate) — An oblong float- 
ing house in the form of a parallelogram, three 
hundred cubits long, fifty cubits wide, thirty cu- 
bits high, with a roof either flat or slightly in- 
clined, and having one door on the side, and one 
window in the top. 



Ancient Order of Pilgrims. 



W. V. S. — Tel] us the purpose in the construc- 
tion of this Ark. my brother (sister) ? 

W. S. U. (For the candidate) — To preserve our 
ancient Patriarch and his household, together with 
certain ones of the species, from the deluge with 
which God intended to overwhelm the land, in pun- 
ishment of the iniquities of man. 

W. V. S. — What prompts you, my brother (sis- 
ter), to refuge no longer in the Ark? 

W. S. U. (For the candidate) — Having seen the 
mountain tops, my loyalty to our ancient Patriarch 
compels me to follow where he leads me. 

W. V. S. — By what means do you expect to 
ascend to such heights of elevation ? 

W. S. U. (Far the candidate) — With my com- 
panion, hand in hand, we will travel in our jour- 
ney from the gates of Eden towards the East, for 
we are in possession of the Word that inspired our 
ancient Patriarch. 

W. V. S. — To what do you refer, my brother 
(sister) ? 

W. S. U. (For the candidate) — Not only to the 
pass to the Ark^ but the lesson I learned through 
my transgression in Eden. 

W. V. S. — Then advance the grip and the pass 
for the Silver Cloud Degree, my brother (sister), 



The Crown Degree. 89 

and pursue thy journey with all diligence. The wa- 
ters prevail upon the lowlands. 

(At the suggestion of the Worthy Senior Usher, 
the candidate gives the Worthy Vice-Shepherd the 
grip used in the Silver Cloud Degree, and at the same 
time announces the pass for the same aloud. This 
done, walking hand in hand, the journey is continued 
twice around the room -'in the same direction, during 
which time the incense burns on the altar, which the 
candidate is permitted to see by a slight adjustment 
of the hoodwink. During the time the Vice-Shepherd 
reads the following, so timed as to conclude when 
the candidate is halted at the station in the East:) 

W. V. S. (Re-ads)— "Go forth of the Ark, thou, 
and thy wife, and thy sons, and thy sons' wives with 
thee. Bring forth with thee every living thing 
that is with thee, of all flesh, both of fowl and 
of cattle, and every creeping thing that creepeth 
upon the earth; that they may breed abundantly 
in the earth, and be fruitful and multiply upon 
the earth. And Noah went forth, and his sons, and 
his wife, and his sons' wives with him : every beast, 
every creeping thing, and every fowl, and what- 
soever creepeth upon the earth, after their kinds, 
went forth out of the Ark. 

"And Noah builded an altar unto the Lord ; and 
took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, 
and offered burnt offerings on the altar. And the 
Lord smelled a sweet savor; and the Lord said in 
his heart, I will not again curse the ground any 
more for man's sake." (Gen. 8:15-20.) 



90 Ancient Order of Pilgrims. 

W. S. U. — (** — ** — ** raps on floor with the 
Crook.) 

W. S. (* — * — * raps) — Who comes here? 

W. S. U. (For the candidate) — A weary Pilgrim, 
faithful to the end, journeying to the heights of 
Mt. Ararat. 

W. S. — What has induced you, my brother (sis- 
ter), to undertake a journey so hazardous? 

W. S. U. (For the candidate) — The gateway to 
Eden is guarded by the Cherubims armed with the 
naming swords, hence there I can not enter; a 
wanderer and a vagabond, journeying toward the 
East, in penitence and sorrow, the Ark of safety I 
assisted to construct, and was saved through the 
faith of our just and perfect Patriarch. If I carry 
the Book of the Law next to my heart, the flood 
having subsided, I must dwell upon Mt. Ararat. 

W. S. — How did you make entrance into the Ark, 
my brother (sister) ? 

W. S. U (For the candidate)— -With the Book of 
the Law next to my heart and the cord of blue ad- 
justed about my body, symbolizing the true and 
steadfast loyalty of the faithful eight, my entrance 
was so made. 

W. S. — What was the fashion of the Ark, my 
brother (sister) ? 



The Crowx Degree. 91 

W. S. U. (For the candidate) — An oblong float- 
ing house in the form of a parallelogram, three 
hundred cubits long, fifty cubits' wide, thirty cu- 
bits high, with a roof either flat or slightly inclined, 
and having one door on the side, and one window 
in the top. 

W. S. — Tell us the purpose in the construction 
of this Ark, my brother (sister) ? 

W. S. U. (For the candidate) — To preserve our 
ancient Patriarch and his household, together with 
certain ones of the species, from the deluge with 
which God intended to overwhelm the land, in pun- 
ishment of the iniquities of man. 

W. S. — What prompts you, my brother (sis- 
ter), to refuge no longer in the Ark? 

W. S. IT. (For the candidate) — Having seen the 
mountain tops, my loyalty to our ancient Patriarch 
compels me to follow where he leads me. 

W. S. — By what means do you expect to ascend 
to such heights of elevation ? 

W. S. U. (For the candidate) — With my com- 
panion, hand in hand, we will travel in our jour- 
ney from the gates of Eden towards the East, for 
we are in possession of the Word that inspired our 
ancient Patriarch. 



92 Ancient Order of Pilgrims. 

W. S. — To what do you refer, my brother ? 

W. S. U. (For the candidate) — Not only to the 
pass to the Ark, but the lesson I learned through 
my transgression in Eden. 

W. S. — Then advance the grip and pass for the 
Silver Cloud Degree, my brother (sister) ? 

(At the suggestion of the Worthy Senior Usher, the 
candidate gives the Worthy Shepherd the grip of the 
Silver Cloud Degree, and at the same time announces 
the pass for the same aloud.) 

W. S. — Advance the grip and the pass for the 
Star Degree, my brother (sister), and pursue thy 
journey with all diligence. The waters prevail 
upon the lowlands. 

(At the suggestion of the Worthy Senior Usher, the 
candidate gives the Worthy Shepherd the grip for 
the Star Degree, and at the same time announces 
aloud the pass for the same. Immediately thereafter 
the candidate is conducted twice around the room, in 
the same direction as before, during which time the 
Worthy Shepherd reads the following, so timed as to 
conclude as the candidate is halted before the altar:) 

W. S. (Reads) — "And there appeared a great 
wonder in heaven ; a woman clothed with the sun, 
and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a 

crown of twelve stars And there appeared 

another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red 
dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and 
seven crowns upon his heads. . . . .And she brought 



The Crown Degree. 93 

forth a man-child, who was to rule all nations 
with a rod of iron; and her child was caught up 

unto God, and to his throne And there was 

war in heaven : Michael and his angels fought 
against the dragon ; and the dragon fought, and his 
angels, and prevailed not ; neither was their place 
found any more in heaven. 

"And the great dragon was cast out, that old ser- 
pent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth 
the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, 
and his angels were cast out with him. 

"And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now 
is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom 
of our God, and the power of his Christ." (Eev. 
12:1-10.) 

OBLIGATION. 

W. S. (*** — * — *** raps) — In the presence of 

the members here assembled, I, , do 

most solemnly and sincerely take this vow, in addi- 
tion to my former obligations : 

That I will always keep the secrets of this de- 
gree, and shall not expose them or any other part 
of the secret work to any person or persons, except 
it be to a worthy member of this degree, whom on 
strict trial I shall find lawfully entitled to receive 
the same; that I now renew my vows and obliga- 



94 Ancient Order of Pilgrims. 

tions as made in the Silver Cloud and the Star De- 
grees, and shall do my utmost to fashion my con- 
duct in harmony with the truths and principles as 
revealed to me by the secret work of this institu- 
tion; that I will uphold and obey the Constitu- 
tion, the rules and regulations of the Supreme 
Home, and the mandates and rulings of its offi- 
cers', properly issued, and the by-laws and regula- 
tions of this sanctuary, or any other sanctuary of 
which I may become a member; and that I shall 
not invoke the aid of the law nor encourage and 
condone the practice in others, to settle any con- 
troversy or grievance at issue, between myself and 
the institution, or myself and any member thereof, 
until I shall have complied with and applied all 
the remedies available under the regulations, cus- 
toms and practices of the institution; that I will, 
at all times and in all places, do my utmost to pro- 
tect the person, the property and the good name 
of a member of this degree, and shall not hesitate 
to warn him of approaching danger, or to go to 
his relief when in distress ; that I will not defraud 
this institution, nor any member thereof, but will 
assist him or her in any laudable enterprise he may 
undertake, and I will not discuss the business of 
the Order, the local nor the supreme governing 
body, with a person not a member, in a manner de- 
rogatory thereto, and I shall not slander, besmirch 



The Crown Degree. 95 

or question the veracity of the rulings and inten- 
tions of its officers and agents, without proof to 
support the same ; and I shall not speak harshly of 
a friend nor foe, all of which I most sacredly 
promise and swear, binding myself under no less 
penalty than that of forfeiting my rights and privi- 
leges as a member of this institution, or that I be 
doomed to fall from the heights of respect, asso- 
ciation and esteem of my fellowman, and sink to 
the cess-pool of despair and wretchedness ; in token 
of which I kiss the Holy Bible, so help me God. 

W. S. — My brother (sister), what would you 
now desire? 

W. S. U. (For the candidate) — To see the 
heights of Mt. Ararat. 

(The members stand on the sign of the degree, as 
during the administering of the obligation, and the 
Worthy Patrol prepares to remove the hoodwink just 
as the following is concluded by the Worthy Shep- 
herd: ) 

W. S. (Reads) — "Hear, ye that are far off, what 
I have done ; and ye that are near acknowledge my 

might Who among us shall dwell with the 

devouring fire, who among us shall dwell with 
everlasting burning ? 

"He that walketh righteously, and speaketh up- 
rightly; he that despiseth the gain of oppressions', 
that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that 



96 Ancient Order of Pilgrims. 

stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shut- 
teth his eyes from seeing evil; he shall dwell on 
high : his place of defense shall be the munitions of 
rock; bread shall be given him, his waters shall be 
sure. j 

"Thine eyes shall see the King in his beauty: 
they shall behold the land that is very far off." 
(Isa. 33:13-17.) 

W. S. (Raps **)— Brother (sister) , 

for it is in such regard and esteem we shall here- 
after greet you, this is the third occasion upon 
which we have readily complied with your request 
for light into our ancient mysteries, and unless you 
have further aspirations as regards your temporal 
and spiritual welfare, it will be, perhaps, the last. 

Because of his faith and righteousness, our an- 
cient Patriarch, and "every living thing, and all 
the cattle that were with him," were by Jehovah 
remembered while in the Ark during that awful 
Deluge. Faithful to the end, at the command of 
his Creator, he went forth from the Ark with his 
wife, his sons and their wives, and builded an altar 
unto the Lord, and upon it he offered sacrifice. 
Thus we are taught that our first duty is to God, 
and that as we go forth into the world aspiring to 
lofty ideals, we need the help and inspiration that 
only pure and devout womanhood can give; and 



The Crowx Degree. 97 

hence males and females eo-operate for good in our 
institution. 

The great wonder in the heavens, the woman 
clothed with the sun, seen in your journey to the 
heights of Mt. Ararat, is symbolical of the heights 
attained by a womanhood of purity and godliness 
— righteous and faithful ; the moon under her feet 
indicates the nearness to all that is .sublime and 
grand of those whose path is lighted by the sun- 
light of God's eternal truth ; and thus we commend 
to you his word, the Holy Bible, here on the altar ; 
the war in heaven, led by Michael and his angels, 
in which the "old serpent" that beguiled in Eden 
was cast out, must remind you how with the Al- 
mighty Father, the righteous will prevail against 
the wicked; and the crown upon her head is in- 
dicative of the sure reward of those who are faith- 
ful to the end; and, as I thus crown you (placing 
the crown upon the head of the candidate), be 
faithful to your friends, to your institution, to your 
family, to your country, and to your God, unto the 
end — be ye faithful "even until death." Long 
may your example, as well as your precept, shine 
like these twelve stars (pointing to the stars in 
the crown) with the brightness of the sun, an- 
nouncing the "power of our God and the Kingdom 
of his Christ." 



98 Anciext Order of Pilgrims. 

The light you saw in the journey, burning on 
the altar, was a symbol of the "sweet savor" that 
arose as Xoah offered a sacrifice on the altar erect- 
ed to God, and it suggests divine worship; and it 
also serves as a type of that devouring fire we shall 
avoid if we dwell on high. 

As a memento of your endeavor to dwell on Mt. 
Ararat — to think and dwell on things that are 
lofty, and to select associates that are superior — I 
present you with the badge of a Pilgrim (invests 
the candidate with a purple badge) the color of 
which is purple, symbolizing divine grace and 
royal majesty, the God-man, Christ, on earth; the 
gold is symbolical of his divine nature as revealed 
after his resurrection, and may you endeavor as 
best you can to will to be like him. 

And, as we have done before, we again call your 
attention to the arrangement of the altar : 

"Let no corrupt communication proceed out of 
your mouth, but that which is good to the use of 
edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hear- 
ers/' (Eph. 4:29.) To a large extent strife and 
disagreement are due to corrupt communications, 
one to another, and thus we remind you that our 
sublimest principle, "CONCORD," has its sup- 
port in the Scriptural truth here shown. 



The Crown Degree. 99 

This emblem, the anchor and the dove, will now 
be explained to you thus : The anchor is a sure 
steadfast, and it symbolizes the hope we shall 
realize when anchored to the principles of Love, 
Benevolence and Concord; the dove sent from the 
Ark by our ancient Patriarch symbolizes purity 
and harmlessness,. which you should, at all times, 
strive to acquire; and the olive branch denotes 
fruitfulness. 

THE SIGX OF THE DEGEEE. 

W. S. — Brother (sister) the sign of the 

Crown Degree, made thus, 

(Interlock the fingers of both hands, the arms being 
dropped to full length, across the front of the body, 
the palms upward. Bow the head slightly.) 

is the manner in which your hands were placed 
when taking the obligation, and represents the 
moon as seen in the "great wonder in the heavens" 
during your journey to Mt. Ararat. Let it sug- 
gest to you the necessity of keeping close to the 
Great Light, the source of all power and knowledge. 

THE DTJE-GUAED SIGX. 

W. S. — The due-guard sign of the degree, made 

thus, 

(Close the third and fourth fingers, together with 
the thumb, of the left hand, across the palm; and, 



100 Ancient Order of Pilgrims. 

with the first and second fingers extended in contact, 
close the left nostril; and, at the same time, place the 
right hand on the heart.) 

alludes to the sweet savor from the burnt offering 
laid on the altar by our ancient Patriarch, which 
you observed in your journey from the West to- 
wards the East. It should ever remind you of the 
promise the Lord made in his heart not to curse 
the ground any more for man's sake, because of 
the righteousness of Noah. Therefore, through di- 
vine worship, let us make ourselves worthy of His 
goodness, and that we might be ever conscious of 
our duty and this promise, our custom requires 
this due-guard sign to be made to the Worthy Shep- 
herd before we proceed to address him in his sta- 
tion. 

THE RECOGNITION SIGN AND WORD. 

W. S. — Brother (sister) in order that you 

may be enabled to discharge your duty and obli- 
gation towards your fellow members, as is now 
imposed upon you, by reason of your last vow, it 
is necessary that you have at your command some 
means by which your presence or identity can be 
made known, and especially is this true if your 
unfortunate brother or sister, or yourself, need 
such sympathy and consolation as must needs exist 
between those who are anchored to the principles 



The Crown Degree. 101 

of Love. Benevolence and Concord. And for such 
a purpose our recognition sign, made thus, 

(Place the right hand gently on top of the head, 
the answer thereto being made in the same manner 
with the left hand.) 

is used, and it alludes to the crown seen in the 
"great wonder" on your journey to higher planes. 

If conditions are such as not to permit the use 
of the recognition sign, the recognition word : 
"won — is — em.c — the — m . dgn . k — of — r . o — g . d" 
is used, the answer to which is : "dna — the — r . w . p 
— of — s.h — chr. A." They allude to the voice 
heard when the "great wonder'' appeared in the 
heavens, and only those whose thoughts and aims 
are pure and lofty, and who have kept the faith, 
can realize in their hearts the power such a truth 
conveys. 

THE CAUTION SIGN AND WOED. 

W. S. — From what you have been taught thus 
far, it must be quite evident that your duty is to 
protect your brethren and sisters as far as your 
ability will permit, and that 3^011 should lose no op- 
portunity to warn them of all approaching danger, 
and therefore you should endeavor to caution them 
thus : 



102 Ancient Ordeb of Pilgrims. 

(Pass the first three fingers of the right hand across 
the eyes from left to right, the answer to which is 
made in the same manner with the left hand.) 

Having gone forth from the Ark to be a hus- 
bandman, it alludes to the manner in which our 
ancient Patriarch awoke from his slumber only to 
know what his younger son had advised his older 
brothers in reference to the Patriarch's condition,, 
when unduly influenced by wine. Let it serve to 
remind you that your duty is to caution your 
brother, rather than to defame him to his neigh- 
bors and friends. 

If, in your judgment, caution notice by sign is 
inadequate, then the caution word is : "nepo — the 
— w.dn.w — of — the — kr.", the answer to which is : 
"dna — the — t . ps — of — the — n. .tn. .m — w . r. — 
s. .n." 

As our ancient Patriarch o— d the w — w of the 
a — k, and could see the t — p of the m — n, may you, 
through sagacity and superior judgment, caution 
your brother against his indiscretions. 

THE DISTRESS SIGN AXD WORD. 

W. S. — My brother (sister), it is now my duty 
to show you the sign you shall use, if in imminent 
peril or danger, and to which you are urged to 
respond as often as you recognize it, unless you 



The Ceown Degree. 103 

shall know it to be used, at the time, by those not 
entitled to its protection. It is called the distress 
sign, and is made thus : 

(Fold the arms across the breast, extend them sud- 
denly to either side at full length, and drop them sud- 
denly to the sides. , 

The answer thereto is made by placing both hands 
behind the neck, with the fingers interlocked.) 

This sign alludes to the manner in which the 
descendants of our ancient Patriarch were scat- 
tered abroad over the earth, when, because of the 
iniquity of the hearts, they reasoned that to make 
themselves famous and to secure protection a city 
should be built that would reach unto heaven. 

If on any occasion the use of the distress sign 
does not bring the relief and protection sought, 
then the word to be used when in distress is : "eht — 
n . g . rd, — s . v . n — sd . . h — nd — n . t — snr . h," the 
answer to which is : "eht — n . g . rd — pr . v . . 1 . d — 
t.n." The word alludes to the struggle between 
Michael and his angels on the one hand and the 
d — n and his a — 1 on t — e o — r, — the triumph of 
right and righteousness and faith over might and 
wuckedness and doubt, as pictured in t — e g — t 
w — r s — n in the h — s, during the journey of the 
f — 1 from the pi — s and lowlands to the h — s of 
M— t A— t. 



104 Anciext Order of Pilgrims. 



THE GRIP AND PASS-WORD. 

W. S. — Finally, my brother (sister), in behalf 
of the members of our sanctuary, and as your 
Worthy Shepherd, I extend you my hand in fellow- 
ship and wdth it the Pilgrim word — "ht. A." 

The grip is made thus : 

(Close the fingers of the right hand, the thumb 
resting on the second joint of the first finger, and then 
clasp hands in the ordinary way.) 

Its name is power, and it signifies the strength 
of soul, and character, and purpose that comes 
through faith, and it alludes to the manner iu 
which the r.d was grasped in the g — t w — r s — n 
in the h — s during your j — y to M — t A — t, and 
the power by which "all n — s w — d be r — d with a 
r — d of i — n/' 

The pass-word for the Crown Degree is : "n . . t. 
vl.s." What man lost through disobedience and 
sin in ancient Eden, it has been made possible to 
overcome through f — h and r — s, and the "p — r 
of his C — t" and therefore, in order that we should 
at all times remember how man shall be redeemed, 
and how "the k — s of his w — d" shall ultimately 
become the "k — s of our L — d," who shall reign 
forever and forever, let the pass-word to this sanc- 
tuary remind you of the pass' to the Eternal City. 



The Crown Degree. 105 

W. S. — My brother (sister), it is our earnest de- 
sire that the beautiful colors presented in the va- 
rious degrees will ever serve to remind you of the 
virtues taught by the signs and secrets of this de- 
gree, and that the rainbow and its various colors 
shall also be a sign of your covenant to keep and 
cherish the same as they were to our ancient Patri- 
arch Noah. In the holy writings we are taught 
that when God created man he was given dominion 
over all things on the face of the earth — animate 
and inanimate — but with all this power Adam 
could not attain the highest state of happiness, be- 
cause there was for him no helpmate. Hence, in a 
manner familiar to those conversant with Bible 
history, a woman was created, of whom Adam said : 
"This is my bone and my flesh." 

And in addition to what has already been made 
clear to you, the manner in which Patriarch Noah 
and his *three sons and their wives, together with 
all animals, two of a kind, entered into the Ark, 
suggest to you most vividly the custom of the an- 
cients, as well as the intention of our Creator, that 
the hearty co-operation of males and females 
should be the swiftest and surest means for the 
development of the Godlike qualities of man. Such 
is our purpose, as has been pointed out to you once 
before in admitting to membership males and fe- 
males in our institution. 



106 Axciext Order of Pilgrims. 

We now greet you as one of our fraternity, enti- 
tled to all of the rights and privileges, and from 
you we expect ready compliance with our customs 
and strict obedience to our laws. We are thus 
united not only for the wise purpose of making 
provisions against the infirmities of old age and 
those misfortunes which, at times, come to the most 
of us ; but for the moderate enjoyment of social in- 
tercourse and for the temperate interchange of so- 
cial feeling. 

We expect to find exemplified in you a strict 
regard for all the obligations of life; that you 
should be slow to anger, forbearing in temper, and 
charitable in opinions and judgments of others- 

We encourage no excesses of any kind, neither 
do we enforce any religious creed, nor attempt to 
influence your politics ; but we do desire to impress 
upon you the fact that no wrangling and dissen- 
sion will be permitted to interrupt the harmony of 
our meetings. In your outward acts and dealings 
as a Pilgrim we expect to find you sober, honest and 
upright; willing to relieve; subservient to the laws 
of your country ; and worthy of the esteem of 
your fellowman. We expect to find you, in the 
family, affectionate and truthful ; regardful of the 
material welfare of your children and those de- 
pendent upon you; dutiful and exemplary as a 
son or daughter ; and, as a friend, steadfast and 



The Crown Degree. 107 

true. These delightful qualities will ever com- 
mand the admiration and respect of mankind, and 
will extend your sphere of usefulness, not only to 
yourself and your immediate family connections, 
but also to our ancient Order. 

THE VOTING SIGX. 

Lastly, your attention is called to the voting 
sign used in our Order, which is made in the fol- 
lowing manner : 

(Raise the right hand, the palm showing to the 
Presiding Officer, the fingers extended in contact.) 

It alludes to the frankness and candor with 
which we should deal one with another, and as 
expressing our sentiments on all questions at issue 
in an assemblage of your brethren and sisters. Let 
your open hand be typical of an open heart. 

LECTURE. 

Question. — Are you a Pilgrim ? 

Answer. — I am a weary Pilgrim, faithful to the 
end. 

Ques. — In what were you faithful to the end? 

Ans. — My journey from the east of Eden to the 
heights of Mt. Ararat, during which time, in peni- 



108 Ancient Order of Pilgrims. 

tence and sorrow, the Ark of safety I assisted to 
construct. 

Ques. — What induced you to take the hazardous 
journey from Eden to Mt. Ararat? 

Ans. — Having become a vagabond and a wan- 
derer, I was saved through the faith of our ancient 
Patriarch. Out of loyalty to him and my 
firm resolve to carry the Book of the Law next to 
my heart, I determined to dwell upon Mt. Ararat. 

Ques. — If you were saved through the faith of 
the Patriarch, how did you make entrance into the 
Ark? 

Ans. — With the Book of the Law next to my 
heart and the cord of blue adjusted about my body, 
symbolizing the true and steadfast loyalty of the 
faithful eight. 

Ques. — Who were the faithful eight? 

Ans. — Our ancient Patriarch and his wife, his 
three sons and their wives. 

Ques. — If you were a builder in the construction 
of the Ark, you can tell us of its fashion. 

Ans. — The Ark was an oblong floating house in 
the form of a parallelogram, three hundred cubits 
long, fifty cubits wide, thirty cubits high, with a 



The Crowx Degree. 109 

roof either flat or slightly inclined, and having one 
door on the side, and one window in the top. 

Ques. — Why did you not refuge longer in the 
Ark? 

Ans. — Having seen the mountain tops, nay loy- 
alty to our ancient Patriarch compelled me to fol- 
low. 

Ques. — How was your journey prosecuted on 
leaving the Ark? 

Ans. — With my companion, walking hand in 
hand, I was aided by the experience of my trans- 
gression in Eden. 

Ques. — How is your transgression there made 
impressive ? 

Ans. — By the pass and the grip of the Silver 
Cloud Degree ; "ma — i — ym — b rs — r . p . . k." 

Ques. — What was the specific act on leaving the 
Ark to indicate that its occupants had profited by 
their experience in Eden ? 

Ans. — Another two days' journey from the West 
to the East, and Noah builded an altar unto the 
Lord, and took of every clean beast and every 
clean fowl, and made a burnt offering on the altar. 

Ques. — Having journeyed until the erection of 
the altai and the offering of the sacrifice, how did 
you qualify yourself for a task so hazardous ? 



110 Ancient Order of Pilgrims. 

Ans. — Not only by the pass and grip of the 
Silver Cloud Degree, but the pass and grip of the 
Star Degree. After which it was suggested that 
the journey be pursued with all diligence, for the 
waters prevailed upon the lowlands. 

Ques. — What Avas the most striking and remark- 
able thing of beauty to impress you in your jour- 
ney to Mt. Ararat? 

Ans. — The great wonder in the heavens. 

Ques. — Was this great wonder explained to you ? 

Ans. — Not until I had taken an obligation at the 
altar to respect and observe the secrets and tradi- 
tions of Mt. Ararat was any explanation made 
to me. 

Ques. — What was the nature of your obligation ? 

Ans. — (See page 93.) 

Ques. — Having obligated yourself, how were you 
advised ? 

Ans. — That mine eyes should see the King in his 
beauty, and the land that was very far off. 

Ques. — What was the land far off, and how ex- 
plained ? 

Ans. — The land afar off was the tops of the 
mountain, the heights of Mt. Ararat, symbolical of 
lofty aspirations and perfect ideals. 



The Crown Degree. Ill 

Ques. — How do Pilgrims explain "the King in 
his beauty" ? 

Ans. — The cardinal principles, the secrets, rites 
and traditions arising in our ceremonies consti- 
tute a halo of beauty for those who by their faith- 
fulness thereto shall be crowned in the final resur- 
rection. 

Ques. — What is the lesson taught by our ancient 
Patriarch in the erection of the altar on leaving the 
Ark? 

Ans. — The erection of the altar and the offering 
of the sacrifice by Xoah, and they that were with 
him teach us that our first duty is to God, and 
that we need the help and inspiration which only 
a pure and devout womanhood can give, and for 
that purpose males and females co-operate in our 
institution on equal terms. 

Ques. — What was the great wonder in the heav- 
ens, and how explained ? 

Ans. — The great wonder in the heavens, the 
woman clothed with the Sun, is symbolical of the 
sublime heights attained by a pure and righteous 
womanhood. In the war led by Michael and his 
angels we are taught that righteousness will pre- 
vail against wickedness; the crown and stars are 
symbolical of the sure reward to those who are 
faithful to the end — "even until death." 



112 Ancient Order or Pilgrims. 

Ques. — How do you explain the burning fire 
seen in your journey? 

Ans. — The burning fire on the altar was typical 
of the burnt offering and the "sweet savor/' as 
Noah offered the sacrifice, and suggests divine wor- 
ship. 

Ques.-^How do you explain the badge of a Pil- 
grim? 

Ans. — The purple badge is a memento of my en- 
deavor to dwell on Mt. Ararat, to meditate on 
things lofty, and to select superior associates. Its 
color symbolizes divine grace and royal majesty, 
the God-man, Christ on. earth ; the gold, His divine 
nature as revealed after His resurrection. 

Ques. — How do you explain the altar to be a 
striking thing of beauty ? 

Ans. — The Holy Bible in the altar arrangement 
teaches the lesson of Concord; that no communica- 
tion should proceed out of the mouth but that 
which is good to the use of edifying. The anchor 
is a sure steadfast and symbolizes the realized hope 
when anchored to the principles of Love, Benevo- 
lence and Concord ; the dove sent from the Ark is 
typical of purity and harmlessness : and the olive 
branch denotes fruitfulness. 



The Crown Degree. 113 

Ques. — How do you explain the signs in the 
Crown Degree? 

Ans. — The sign of the Crown Degree (making 
it), alludes to the manner in which my hands were 
placed when taking the obligation, and represents 
the moon as seen -in the "great wonder. " It suggests 
the necessity of keeping close to the Great Light. 

The due-guard sign of the Crown Degree (mak- 
ing it) alludes to the "sweet savor" that arose, and 
it reminds us of the promise not to curse the ground 
any more for man's sake. 

The recognition sign (making it) alludes to the 
Crown and twelve stars seen in the "great won- 
der," and the lesson they teach; the caution sign 
(making it) alludes to the manner in which our 
ancient Patriarch arose from his slumber, and 
serves' to remind us that our duty is to caution 
our brother and sister rather than to defame them ; 
the distress sign (making it) alludes to the man- 
ner in which the descendants of our ancient Pa- 
triarch were scattered abroad over the land when, 
because of the iniquity in their hearts, they rea- 
soned that a city built unto heaven would give 
them protection. 

Ques. — How do you explain the grip and pass- 
word ? 



114 Ancient Order of Pilgrims. 

Ans. — The grip (giving it) is made thus, and its 
name is "r.w.p." It signifies the strength of soul 
and character and purpose which comes through 
faith. 

Ques. — How do you explain the voting sign ? 

Ans. — The voting sign (making it) indicates 
the frankness and candor with which we should 
deal one with another, and in expressing our senti- 
ments in an assemblage of brethren and sisters. 



THE ROYAL SCEPTRE 



The crowning point of Pilgrimic usages, prac- 
tices and customs is those practical virtues and 
truths, no less beautiful than poignant, as impress- 
ed by the degree very properly designated The 
Royal Sceptre. 

This degree can be conferred during a session 
of the Supreme Home, or Annual Conclave, only, 
stated or special, and by and with the consent and 
approval of such members thereof as have regularly 
attained the same, and are in good and regular 
standing in a Pilgrimic Jurisdiction. 

The candidates eligible therefor must be Past 
Supreme Home officers or Past Worthy Shepherds 
or agents authorized to establish subordinate bod- 
ies in the Jurisdiction, or Worthy Recorders of 
local bodies having five years continuous service 
and membership, and all of said applicants or can- 
didates for the said Royal Sceptre Degree must 
have the endorsement of the sanctuary where their 
membership is lodged, properly signed and attested 
under seal. The Royal Sceptre Degree is a pre- 
requisite for (a) a Worthy Shepherd to represent 
his sanctuary in an Annual Conclave during his 



116 Ancient Order of Pilgrims. 

term of office or at the expiration thereof; (b) for 
permanent membership in the Supreme Home 
whilst one remains a member of the Order in good 
and regular standing; (c) for office in the Supreme 
Home, elective or appointive; (d) for authority to 
establish and institute subordinate sanctuaries ; and 
(e) to act as the authorized agent of the Supreme 
Worthy Shepherd. And in investigations, com- 
plaints, trials, charges, and appeals before the An- 
nual Conclave, an accused having attained this 
degree, can elect to have the same prosecuted be- 
fore his associates or peers in this degree. 

The requisite number to confer the degree is ten, 
and the arrangement of the room is substantially 
the same as when the other degrees are conferred 
in a sanctuary. The titles of the officers and the 
duties in connection therewith are practically the 
same, save where exceptions are made to exemplify 
the truth of the narrative sought to be impressed, 
the most notable of which are the following : 

Immediately in front of the Suoreme Worthy 
Shepherd in the East (King Ahasuerus) is a hang- 
ing curtain of blue, fastened back with cords of 
linen and purple ; six feet in front of the Supreme 
Worthy Shepherd is stationed the Supreme Worthy 
Vice-Shepherd (Memucan, prince to the King), 
behind a hanging curtain of green, fastened back 
with cords of purple; and. about twelve feet in 



The Eoyal Sceptre Degree. 117 

front of the King is stationed the Supreme Worthy 
Counselor (Harbona, chamberlain to the King), 
behind a hanging curtain of white, fastened back 
with cords of linen. The Supreme Worthy In- 
spirator (Nehemiah, the Prophet) is at the altar, 
and any member of the degree represents the Ben- 
jamite at the King's gate. 

( The candidate having been duly passed, and every- 
thing being in readiness, is allowed to enter. He is 
conducted by the Supreme Worthy Senior Usher on 
the left, and a member of the Supreme Council, who 
is the Escort, walks on the right. As they pass 
around the room ten times, by the way of the North 
first, the following ceremony is performed:) 

Escort. — My brother (sister), in our continued 
journey from the West toward the East, we arrive 
in Shushan, the capital of the kingdom of Ahasue- 
rus the Great, and, in the distance (raising the left 
hand to shade the eyes, palm outwards), we view at 
the altar of consecration the faithful prophet, Ne- 
hemiah. His faith and devotion reminds us of 
how the lack of it brought us here to Shushan. We 
will approach. 

Xehemiah (Beads) — "0, Lord God of heaven, 
the great and terrible God, that keepeth covenant 
and mercy for them that love Him and observe 
His commandments : 

"Let Thine ear now be attentive, and Thine eyes 
open, that Thou mayest hear the prayer of Thy ser- 



118 Ancient Order of Pilgrims. 

vant We have dealt very corruptly against 

Thee, and have not kept the commandments, nor 
the statutes, nor the judgments which Thou com- 
mandest Thy servant Moses. 

"Kemember, I beseech Thee, the word that Thou 
commandest Thy servant Moses, saying, If ye 
transgress, I will scatter ye abroad among the na- 
tions. But if ye turn unto me, and keep my com- 
mandments, and do them; though there were of 
you cast out unto the uttermost part of the heaven, 
yet will I gather them from thence, and will bring 
them unto the place that I have chosen to set my 
name there." (Neh. 1:5-9.) 

Escort — Thus, my brother (sister), we are re- 
minded how disobedience and idolatry and a lack 
of faith on the part of those to whom the promise 
had been given, just as we once represented our- 
selves to be, became a scattered nation and captives 
in the land of King Ahasuerus. Is it not record- 
ed that when Jehoichin began to reign he did that 
which was evil in the sight of the Lord, and when 
Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, came against 
Jerusalem, "he carried away all Jerusalem, and 
all the princes, and all the mighty men of valour, 
even ten thousand captives, and all the craftsmen 
and smiths; none remained, save the poorest sort 
of the people of the land." (2 K. 24:14.) 



The Royal Sceptee Degree. 119 

And is it not recorded in the chronicles of the 
Kings that when Zedekiah began to reign, he did 
that which was evil in the sight of the Lord, and 
would not "humble himself before Jeremiah, the 
prophet, speaking' from the mouth of the Lord;" 
that when he also rebelled against King Nebuchad- 
nezzar, "he brought the Chaldees against them" 

"and they burnt the house of God, and brake 

down the wall of Jerusalem and burnt all the pal- 
aces thereof with fire, and destroyed all the goodly 
vessels thereof. And them that had escaped from 
the sword carried he away to Babylon, where they 
were servants to him and his sons until the reign 
•of the kingdom of Persia." (2 Chron. 36 :19-20.) 

Importuned by those who had kept the faith, 
Xehemiah, Jeremiah and Ezra, the predecessors of 
King Ahasuerus permitted as many as so willed 
to return to Jerusalem, and yet nine-tenths of them 
remained in this foreign land. In his kingdom he 
reigned from India even unto Ethiopia, over an 
hundred and seven and twenty provinces. 

(During the recital of the foregoing paragraph 
shouts are heard within the palace, thus:) 

Attendants — All hail Ahasuerus, the King! 

Escort — It is the third year of his reign as 
king, and before him are gathered the nobles and 
princes of the provinces' to observe the "riches of 



120 Ancient Order of Pilgrims. 

his glorious kingdom' 7 and to celebrate the "honor 
of his excellent majesty" in a feast of one hundred 
and eighty days. 

Harbona — Because Vashti the queen hath not 
done wrong to the king only, but also to all the 
princes that are in the provinces, and to all the 
people that are in the provinces ; and because like- 
wise shall all the ladies of the provinces of Media 
and Persia say unto the princes of the king, the 
royal commandment to be published in all the 
provinces of the empire, according to the language 
of the people thereof, is: That Vashti come no 
more before King Ahasuerus. 

Escort — The royal commandment advised by 
Memucan, the favorite prince of the King. If 
you would have more of the secrets of the palace 
revealed unto you, it will be necessary to enter the 
"king's gate' 7 to the outer court, and take the vow. 
Will you enter? 

Candidate (Prompted by S. If. S. U.)—l will. 

(The candidate is hoodwinked by the Supreme 
Worthy Senior Usher, and they approach the king's 
gate kept by Harbona, where the S. W. S. U. makes 
three distinct raps on the floor with the staff.) 

S. W. S. U.— (*—*—* raps.) 

Harbona — (* — * — * raps.) — Loyal subjects of 
the king and patriots of the kingdom, enter the 
outer court of the palace. 



The Royal Sceptre Degree. 121 

(They pass to the inner court behind the white 
curtain, where the following obligation is taken by 
the candidate before Harbona:) 



OBLIGATION. 

Harbona — In addition to 1113' former vows and 

obligations, I, , in the presence of the 

members here assembled, do most solemnly and 
reverentially reaffirm and vow my allegiance to 
the principles, tenets and usages of the institution 
as heretofore explained to me, in the preceding de- 
grees, and sincerely promise to maintain as sacred 
within my breast the secrets of this degree, except 
as shall be permissible in accordance with the re- 
quirements of the Order, and to observe a strict 
compliance with the same as far as my ability will 
permit. 

I further promise, in addition to my former 
vows and obligations, fervent adoration for my 
home and family, undaunted patriotism for my 
country, unswerving loyalty to my people, and sin- 
Cere devotion to my friends and benefactors. 

I further promise to go to the relief of a mem- 
ber of this degree, to aid and support him in dis- 
tress, at the risk of my own life — violation of the 
family ties, insurrection and anarchy, and the de- 
struction of human life excepted — all of which I 



122 Ancient Order of Pilgrims. 

most sincerely promise and swear, and in token of 
which my right hand is extended. 

(Prompted by the S. W. S. U., the candidate extends 
his right hand to Harbona.) 

S. W. S. U. — "In those days, while Mordecai sat 
in the king's gate, two of the king's chamberlains, 
Bigthan and Teresh, of those which kept the door 
were wroth, and sought to lay hands on King Aha- 
suerus." (Est. 2:21.) 

Harbona — "And all the king's servants that were 
in the king's gate, bowed and revered Haman; for 
the king had so commanded concerning him. But 
Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence." (Est. 
3:3.) 

(During the reading of the following the candidate 
is conducted about in the outer court, so timed as to 
conclude on the approach to the curtain of green: ) 

Escort — My brother (sister), it was during the 
third year of the reign of King Ahasuerus that he 
made a sumptuous banquet for his nobility, and 
prolonged the feast to one hundred and eighty 
days. And on one occasion, when merry with wine, 
he ordered his queen Vashti to be brought out, and 
upon her refusal to violate the decorum of her 
sex, he indignantly divorced her. and published an 
edict throughout the empire concerning her disobe- 
dience. 



The Eoyal Sceptre Degree. 123 

In the seventh year of his reign, Esther, who 
concealed her parentage, was made queen; Morde- 
cai, her benefactor, sat in the king's gate; and, in 
the twelfth year of his reign, Haman, the Agagite, 
was advanced above all the princes of the king. 
Approaching the middle court of the palace, we 
find it guarded by the prince Memucan. 

S. W. S. XL (* — * — * raps on the floor with his 
staff.) 

Memucan (* — * — * raps) — Loyal subjects of 
the king and patriots of the kingdom, enter the 
middle court of the palace. 

(The candidate is brought within the hanging cur- 
tain of green, and immediately thereafter the Supreme 
Worthy Shepherd says : ) 

Alias. — My loyal Memucan, who is in the Court ? 

Memucan (Prompting the candidate) — Haman. 

x\has. — Prince Haman, approach the throne. 

Escort (For the candidate) — "There is a certain 
people scattered abroad and dispersed among the 
people in all the provinces of thy kingdom; and 
their laws are diversed from all people; neither 
keep they the king's laws; therefore, it is not for 
the king's prophet to suffer them. If it please the 
king, let it be written that they may be destroyed : 
and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver.*' 
(Est. 3:8-9.) 



124 Anciext Order of Pilgrims. 

Ahas. {Placing the signet ring on the ring fin- 
ger of the candidate) — The silver is given to thee, 
the people also, to do with them as it seemeth good 
to thee. 

(They pass three times around the Court, while the 
following occurs:) 

Memucan — "When Mordecai perceived all that 
was done, Mordecai rent his clothes, and put on 
sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the midst 
of the city, and cried with a loud and bitter cry. 
And came even before the king's gate; for none 
might enter into the king's gate clothed with sack- 
cloth. And in every province, whithersoever the 
king's commandment and his decree came, there 

was great mourning and fasting, and weeping 

and wailing; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes." 
(Est. 4:1-3.) 

S. W. S. U. — 0, revered and honored Esther, the 
request of the Benjamite in the king's gate, as de- 
livered by your chamberlain Hatach, is that you 
go unto the king, to make supplication unto him, 
and to make request for your people. 

Escort (Prompting female candidate) — Faith- 
ful Hatach, all the king's servants, and the people 
of the provinces, do know that whosoever, whether 
man or woman, shall come unto the king in the 
inner court, who is not called, there is one law of 



The Eoyal Sceptre Degree. 125 

his to put him to death, except such to whom the 
king shall hold out the golden sceptre, that he may 
live. 

S. W. S. U — Think not with thyself, Queen Es- 
ther, that thou shalt escape in the king's house. 

Escort (Prompting female candidate) — "Go 
gather all that are present in Shushan, and fast ye 
for me, and neither eat nor drink, three days, night 
or day. I and my maidens will fast likewise, and 
I will go in, unto the king, which is not according 
to the law : and if I perish, I perish." 

; : Memucan (places on the candidate the royal ap- 
parel, regalia, and in her month spices or cloves, 
saying:) "The oil of myrrh." (Anointing the brow 
of the candidate with perfumed water, saying:) 
"Sweet odours for thy purification." 

Ahas. — Who is in the court ? 

Memucan — Haman. 

Ahas. — Let him come in. 

(The hanging curtain of blue is parted and the 
candidates stand in front of Ahasuerus, who extends 
the golden sceptre, the top of which is touched by the 
female candidate. The hoodwink is removed as the 
following statement made by all the members is an- 
nounced, and immediately thereafter the sign of the 
degree is made: ) 

Memucan and Members — "Let thine ear now be 
attentive, and thine eyes open, that thou mayest 
hear the prayer of thy servant.*' 



126 Ancient Order of Pilgrims. 

Ahas. — "What shall be done unto the man whom 
the king delighteth to honor?" 

Escort {Prompting the male candidate) — "Let 
the royal apparel be brought which the king useth 
to wear, and the horse that the king rideth upon, 
and the crown royal which is set upon his head, and 
let them be delivered into the hands of one of the 
king's most noble princes, that they may array the 
man withal whom the king delighteth to honour, 
and bring him on horseback through the streets of 
the city." 

Ahas. — What is thy petition, Queen Esther ? and 
it shall be granted thee; and what is thy request? 
and it shall be performed, even to the half of the 
kingdom. 

Escort (Prompting the female candidate) — "If 
I have found favor in thy sight, King, and if it 
please the king, let my life be given me at my 
petition, and my people at my request. For we 
are sold to be destroyed, to be slain, and to perish." 

Ahas. — The degree just conferred upon you, 
taken in all its connections, presents vividly the 
crowning point in Pilgrimic practices, customs and 
usages, and it is significant not only from the fact 
that it sets forth admirable traits of individual 
characters, worthy of emulation; but serious con- 
templation of its truths will, on reflection, reveal 



The Royal Sceptee Degree. 127 

some very desirable virtues essential for the re- 
demption and preservation of a people. 

The ceremony thus far, briefly stated, recalls how 
a favored people, through disobedience to divine 
law and sheer lack of faith, through idolatry and 
ignorance and sin became a "nation scattered 
abroad." Having been governed and directed by 
the Patriarchs' and Judges more than two thou- 
sand years, following three successive reigns of 
forty years each by three kings famous in the 
world ? s history, their kingdom became divided 
and was subjected to assault and attack from foes 
without and within. 

The people of one of these divisions were scat- 
tered around in the cities of the Medes, and in time 
finally lost their identity. The other was carried 
into captivity in Babylonia, and their splendid 
temple in Jerusalem destroyed, and the walls of 
that famous city demolished during the reign of 
Nebuchadnezzar. 

The seventy years captivity in Babylon came to 
an end, after the death of Nebuchadnezzar, when 
his kingdom began to disintegrate and was taken 
over by Cyrus the Great of Persia, whose empire 
for two hundred years ruled all the lands from 
the Mediterranean to the borders of India, and 
was more thoroughly organized, and more endur- 



128 Anciext Order of Pilgrims. 

ing than any that had preceded it. King Cyrus 
was friendly to these people, and issued a proclama- 
tion suggesting their return to their own country. 
The descendants of the captives at this time num- 
bered nearly half a million, and many of them 
prospered in the land of their adoption. Xot 
more than one-tenth of this number returned to 
Jerusalem, at the invitation of King Cyrus, and it 
is particularly those who returned not, together 
with their direful experience with the successors to 
Cyrus the Great, that we now purpose to consider. 

On entering the room you observed at the altar 
Nehemiah — unselfish, earnest and self-denying. He 
knew the secret of the failure of his people, and 
though rich, honored and prosperous, and in daily 
contact with the greatest king of the time, his heart 
went out to his people five hundred miles away 
from his palace. They were in terror of their ene- 
mies, unable to help themselves, and their sorrows 
were his sorrows. His prayer was not for himself 
but for his people across the desert. He prayed 
"day and night," not that God would have to be 
made willing to give, but to make himself willing to 
receive God's gift. His prayer was not only un- 
selfish, it was more ; it was self-denying. His 
prayer was that the way might be made clear by 
which he could leave his home and his wealth, and 
his high office, and journey a thousand miles across 



The Royal Sceptre Degree. 129 

a desert that could not be crossed that he might 
aid his people in reconstructing the walls about 
Jerusalem, My loyal Memuean, instruct the candi- 
dates. 

THE DUE-GUARD SIGN. 

Memucan — The decline of the chosen people was 
very largely due to their failure to exercise the gift 
of prayer — to idolatry, and on entering the palace 
of the king you saw Nehemiah, thus : 

(Shading the eyes as from the glare of the sun. as 
was done on entering.) 

at the altar. 

It is the due-guard sign of this degree, and may 
it remind you, as often as you rise to speak, of the 
devout Nehemiah, and inspire you with devotion 
and love for your people, and remember how solici- 
tously he enquired of his people in "great afflic- 
tion," the walls of whose city were "broken down 
and the gates thereof burned with fire." 

Alias. — Ezra also knew the secret of the trans- 
gressions of his people in that they followed not 
the laws as given by Moses and the prophets, and 
exercised not faith, and we read that the king 
granted him his request, according to the hand of 
the Lord his God upon him. As a manifestation 
of his faith in the power of Jehovah, he would re- 
quest of the king a band of soldiers and horsemen 



130 Ancient Order of Pilgrims. 

to accompany him to the relief of his people in 
affliction at Jerusalem, for he knew as he said, 
"The hand of our God is upon all them for good 
that seek him; but his power and his wrath is 
against all them that forsake him."' He too re- 
turned to Jerusalem, instructed his people in the 
law, and "they gave him their hands that they 
would put away their (strange) wives." My loyal 
Memucan, instruct the candidate. 

Mem. (To male candidate) — My brother, as Ezra 
upheld the law we shall expect you so to do, and not 
only to study and practice the teachings of the 
Holy Bible yourself but teach it to the members of 
your household. Obey the Constitution, the rites, 
customs and ceremonies of our institution, and we 
charge you to so receive and treat and accept the 
rulings, mandates and decrees of your superior 
officers until the same shall have been revoked by 
the powers of last resort. Contemplate on Ezra, 
and demand the hand of your brother or sister for 
virtue and morality in the home and family; for 
chastity and purity in our womanhood. 

Ahas. — On the return of this people to Jerusa- 
lem, the walls about the city were rebuilt and the 
temple for worship, together with its altars for 
consecration and sacrifice were erected and dedi- 
cated to God without assistance from surrounding 
nations. My loval Memucan, instruct the candidate. 



The Eoyal Sceptre Degree. 131 

Memucan — My friends, the example of this peo- 
ple as cited by our noble King Ahasueras teaches ns 
industry and self-reliance, self-help. Let ns emu- 
late the example set, and exercise due diligence in 
support and protection for our family, our people 
and our institution. 

Ahas. — To return to the story for our more spe- 
cial consideration, we will revert to Mordecai, the 
uncle and benefactor of Esther, who is the heroine 
in our narrative. 

His lineage can be traced back to Saul, the son 
of Kish, and the interesting and astounding fact 
is that the lineage of his arch enemy, Hainan, traces 
back to Saul's enemy, Agag. 

In Shushan his people were oppressed, despised 
and hated; he was a constant promoter of the in- 
terest of his lovely ward, and is to be commended 
for the interest he had in the welfare of his people, 
in that he importuned Esther to go in to the king 
that they might be protected against the machina- 
tions and designs of the wicked Hainan. The un- 
selfishness of Mordecai revealed itself in the fact 
that he made known to the king a murderous in- 
trigue on the part of his chamberlains, and thus, 
though a devout and sternly patriotic Jew, he 
showed his loyalty to a foreign ruler, and was in- 
deed the "man whom the king delighted to honor." 
Loyal Memucan, instruct the candidate. 



132 Ancient Order of Pilgrims. 

Merrmcan — My brother, in contemplating Mor- 
decai, the fact standing out most prominently is 
that although he received in the end the very high- 
est honors, he never sought them. We admonish 
you to become worthy and competent for the most 
exalted and trustworthy positions in our institu- 
tion, or elsewhere, but cultivate that admirable 
quality of the Benjamite (pointing to him at the 
entrance through the curtain of white), who sat in 
the gate of the king. Promote the interest of the 
females under your care and protection; be loyal, 
be patriotic, be devout. 

My sister, let the contemplation of Mordecai 
teach you what to expect. 

Ahas. — Our serious reflection on Mordecai can 
but recall his antithesis, as it were — his arch enemy 
Haman. Advanced in the Court through the loy- 
alty of Mordecai, in all probability, and piqued be- 
cause Mordecai failed to do him reverence at the 
command of the king, he sought to influence the 
king to order the destruction of the Jews in his 
kingdom, for a consideration, which, it is regret- 
table to remark, the king at first granted. By order 
of the king he was hanged on the gallows he had 
ordered built for the Benjamite. My loyal Memu- 
can, instruct the candidate. 

Memucan — My brother, this character Haman 
we hold up for its peculiar qualities that are to 



The Eoyal Sceptre Degree. 133 

be avoided, rather than emulated and cultivated. 
His elation over the invitation to the banquet of 
the king and queen points to his self-esteem to be 
avoided; his acquiescence and agreement with Ze- 
resh suggest the discretion we should use, lest we 
be unduly influenced by designing women. His 
enmity to Mordecai — more pious, devout and patri- 
otic and loyal — because of his failure to do him rev- 
erence, shows the heights to which arrogance and 
folly attain, at times, because of supposedly high 
official position in civil life. 

Ahas. — Esther had been an obscure orphan, 
reared in the home of Mordecai, and was called to 
the palace after it had been decreed that Vashti 
come no more before the king. Her days of purifi- 
cation having ended after one year, she was chosen 
queen from a very large number of the most beau- 
tiful maidens of Persia, and in obedience to the in- 
structions of Mordecai she kept concealed her con- 
nection with the hated race of Jews. 

When Mordecai perceived that Haman had plan- 
ned the destruction of the Jews, he requested that 
Esther go in to the king and make request of him 
for her people ; and although she at first hesitated 
to do as her benefactor requested, after a period of 
three days of fasting and prayer she resolved to go 
in, whereupon the king extended the golden 
sceptre, and granted her request — from which fact 



134 Ancient Order of Pilgrims. 

this degree derives its name, the Koyal Sceptre. 
You can but recall the slaughter of the enemies of 
her people. 

In her exalted position in the palace, Esther 
never forgot her friend and benefactor, Mordecai. 
Because of his failure to bow in reverence before 
Hainan, Mordecai knew himself to be in a manner 
responsible for the disaster sought to be visited 
upon his people. We can, therefore, readily un- 
derstand his persistence in demanding that Esther 
go in to the king. You will now be instructed on 
the sign of the degree. 

THE SIGN OF THE DEGEEE. 
Memucan — The sign of the degree, made thus, 

(Raise the right forearm to a position in which 
the right hand will be at a distance of about eighteen 
inches from the eye, and clasp the ring finger between 
the first and second joints by the thumb and fore- 
finger of the left hand.) 

is suggestive of the Signet of the King transferred 
from Haman to Mordecai. It is symbolical of au- 
thority and power, and as you strive to acquire it 
let your method and attitude be like Mordecai's 
rather than Hainan's. Be discreet in its use at all 
times, in all places and under all circumstances. 
Exercise it for the promotion of the welfare of 
others, and not for self-aggrandizement. 



The Eoyal Sceptre Degree. 135 

Alias. — My loyal Memucan, chamberlain to the 
King, instruct the candidate further. 

Memucan — My brother, you were taught that 
Esther concealed her identity as a member of a 
hated and persecuted people; and through the ad- 
vice of Mordecai she passed to the palace. Out of 
respect to that beautiful quality of obedience she 
possessed, our pass in Eoyal Sceptre Degree is : 
K.s.d.h," 

THE CAUTION SIGN AND WORD. 
Memucan — The caution sign, made thus : 

(Draw the first finger of the right hand across the 
throat, the answer to which is made in the same 
way with the left hand.) 

is suggestive of the fate against which Esther was 
cautioned by Mordecai, if she failed her people. 

The caution word is : "kniht — n . t — f o — sc . pe — ■ 
ni — the — es. .h — of — eht — k.ng," the answer to 
which is : "ton — er . m — th . n — eht — r . st — f o — ym 
— p . . pi." Our caution sign and word refer to the 
manner in which Mordecai held forth to Esther 
the opportunity to render good service for and in 
behalf of her people. My sister, may you follow 
her good example. 



136 Ancient Order of Pilgrims. 

THE DISTRESS SIGX AXD WORD. 

Memucan — The distress sign, made thus : 

(Place the right hand against the right ear, palm 
inwards, and then extend the arm at full length to 
the right. The answer is made in the same way with 
the left hand, on the left ear.) 

is suggestive of the proclamation designed by 
Haman, and which they heard not; and the pros- 
trate form of Esther's people, if the plans of Ha- 
inan had prevailed. 

The distress word is : "n . m . h — h . m . n," the 
answer to which is : "n . m . h — & — hs . r . z." 

THE GRIP AXD ACCOMPANYING WORD. 

Memucan — The grip is made thus: 
(Clasp the right hands in the ordinary way.) 
and the accompanving word is : "ta — the — s'gn . k 

- g .t." 

The colors for this degree, a combination of all 
those preceding — white, blue, green and purple — 
serve to remind us of the lessons herein, and in the 
preceding degrees. They reveal the necessity of 
blending into one harmonious whole all the vir- 
tues and truths sought to be impressed by the an- 
cient mysteries of our institution. 



The Eoyal Sceptre Degeee. 137 

Alias. — Few indeed were the people who knew 
Esther to belong to the hated race, and there was 
no need for her to make known, in the palace, her 
relationship. 'In the palace she was safe, and, 
therefore: (1) As she loved Israel, let ns love our 
people and feel it an honor to be one of them; let 
us love our institution and its ancient mysteries, 
and feel it an honor to be "one of the faithful." 
(2) In the palace of the King, among a pleasure- 
loving people, Esther was prayerful. The Benjam- 
ite at the King's gate was not unlike her. Let us 
all emulate their good example. (3) Esther made 
a sacrifice. To come uninvited into the presence 
of the Persian King meant instant death, unless the 
King interposed. Her life was in her hand, as it 
were, but she risked it for her people. Can you 
risk as much as did Esther ? 

In the Crown Degree you observed the burning 
incense and sacrifice on the altar, and there are 
many things burned on altars, but the truest and 
highest sacrifice is self-sacrifice. A sacrifice burned 
on the altar can do no good unless it is the solemr 
symbol of true and entire devotion of self. Such 
must be its main element in religious or secular 
affairs. There can be no higher virtue than self- 
denial, self-sacrifice. 'Tis often said, "God does 
not require us for himself, but for the saving and 
nurturing of his other children;" that "he is most 



138 Anciext Order of Pilgrims. 

like the Master who takes up his cross and follows 
him, that is, offers everything, even his life, to the 
carrying forward of His work." 

Most naturally, then, my beloved, the question of 
the moment is : At what point did Esther save her 
people? Was it on the day the enemies of her 
people were slain, or was it when Mordecai put on 
the Signet of the King? Was it at the banquet 
spread for the King and Haman, or was it when 
the King held out the golden sceptre ? 

The supreme moment was prior to any of these. 
It was when her decision was made, as evidenced 
by her declaration: "I will go in unto the King, 
and if I perish, I perish." And thus, my beloved, 
nothing we have said or have required of you will 
hold you steadfast and true to the principles cher- 
ished by our institution, unless you have so willed 
and decided. It must all depend upon the Will, 
the greatest power in the world — the power which 
dominates all other forces. 



THE RITES, CUSTOMS AND 
CEREMONIES 

OF THE 

ANCIENT ORDER OF PILGRIMS 



L— INSTALLATION CEREMONY. 

The ceremony following is the approved order 
for the installation of the officers of a subordinate 
sanctuary, and for the officers of the Supreme 
Home. The titles and duties of the respective offi- 
cers being practically the same, excepting the fact 
that the titles of the officers in a Supreme Home 
carry the prefix "supreme." 

In a subordinate sanctuary it is the duty and 
prerogative of the retiring Worthy Shepherd to in- 
stall the officers elect, but any Past Worthy Shep- 
herd in good standing in the Jurisdiction is quali- 
fied to perform the ceremony. In the installation 
of the officers of a Supreme Home, the ceremony 
must be performed by any one of the following, the 
preferred order being: the retiring Supreme 
Worthy Shepherd, the President of the Supreme 
Council, an active member of the Supreme Council. 
Officers whose absence is justifiable, and which has 



140 Ancient Order of Pilgrims. 

been satisfactorily explained to the sanctuary or to 
the Worthy Shepherd, and to the Supreme Worthy 
Shepherd and the Supreme Council, in the case 
of Supreme Home officers, may be installed by 
proxy. 

The hour having arrived to perform the cere- 
mony, the installing officer occupies a position in 
the hall similar to that occupied by the Worthy 
Shepherd in a local sanctuary, calls the members to 
order and announces the names of two marshals, 
previously selected, who will lead the Pilgrim 
March. 

The Pilgrim March. 

(The marshals appointed will arrange the members 
in couples, forming two columns, each of which is led 
by one of the marshals. As the music is played the 
double column passes from the West towards the East, 
by the way of the North, in review by the installing 
officer. 

As the columns pass the installing officer the sec- 
ond time, they move along the center of the hall to- 
ward the West, and there separate, one column re- 
turning to the East by way of the North, and the 
other turning to his left, goes back to the East by way 
of the South, thus forming two elliptical circles. 

As the marshals approach the West the second time, 
the two circles having been distinctly formed, the 
two columns intersect in front of the station in the 
West, a member from each passing alternately, thus 
each repasses to the East by a different route. This 
position leaves the members in two parallel columns, 
extending from West to East, each headed by a mar- 
shal, one standing to the right of the installing officer 
and the other to the left. 



Eites axd Ceremonies 141 

The two marshals march down the columns on the 
inside, observing that the lines are straight, one of 
which faces the North and the other the South. 
When the marshals meet in front of the station in the 
West, they walk hand in hand to the East midway 
between the two columns, where they salute the in- 
stalling officer with the public Supreme Honors, 
thus: 

Place the palm of the right hand over the right ear 
horizontally, carry the right forearm across the breast 
to the left shoulder, dropping it suddenly to the side, 
and then bow the head. This is done only once.) 

(Address by Installing Officer.) 

W. S. — The Marshals will present Brother (sis- 
ter) , who has been elected Worthy Shep- 
herd of sanctuary for the ■ ensuing term. 

(At the command just given the marshals salute 
the installing officer, thus: Raise the right forearm 
to a horizontal position across the breast, then drop 
the arm suddenly to the side. The officer elect is 
escorted to the East, walking hand in hand between 
the two marshals. The other officers elect are es- 
corted in the same manner.) 

W. S. — Brother (sister) , I welcome you 

upon your elevation to the highest office within the 
gift of this sanctuary. It becomes my duty to lay 
before you the importance of punctuality and regu- 
lar attendance on your part, which will serve not 
only to dispatch business, but as an examnle to the 
other officers. 

Let candor and equity be your distinguishing 
characteristics in all your proceedings, and your 
decisions void of partiality. 



142 Ancient Order of Pilgrims. 



W. S. Do you promise faithful obedience and 

protection to the laws and regulations of the Su- 
preme Home and the orders of the Supreme 
Worthy Shepherd, and to use every legitimate 
means that the same may not be violated by the 
sanctuary under your control, nor by any of its offi- 
cers and members ? 

Ans. — I do. 

\y. S. — Do you agree that no person nor set of 
persons can be initiated into the mysteries of this 
fraternity unless the constituted number of duly 
qualified members is present, or unless authority 
has been expressly granted by the Supreme Home 
of the Jurisdiction or by its duly authorized officers 
to do otherwise? 

Ans. — I do. 

W. S. — Do you agree that no visitor shall be 
entitled to a seat in your sanctuary until after due 
examination he proves himself worthy, or unless 
he be vouched for by one or more members in good 
and regular standing, and if there is reason to be- 
lieve that the presence of such an one will in any 
way tend to disturb the peace and harmony, said 
person will be denied admission ? 

Ans. — I do. 

W. S.— Do you promise to maintain the honor 
and dignity of your position and employ every 



Rites axd Ceremonies 143 

means for the upbuilding of your sanctuary and 
the fraternity generally ? 

Ans. — I do. 

AY. S. — Officers and members of 

Sanctuary No , you have listened to the 

solemn pledges of our brother (sister), are you 
still in favor of having him (her) as your presiding 
officer for the ensuing year? 

Ans. — We are. 

W. S. (Prompting the candidate to repeat) — I, 

, in the presence of Almighty God and 

all present, do solemnly pledge that as Worthy 
Shepherd of this sanctuar}^ I shall faithfully dis- 
charge the duties pertaining thereto, and shall em- 
ploy every means to preserve the peace and har- 
mony and for promoting the general welfare of the 
sanctuary and the Order generally throughout the 
Jurisdiction. 

W. S. — The Marshals will now invest the Worthy 

Shepherd (Supreme Worthy Shepherd) with the 

badge of office, whom we salute with the public 

Supreme Honors. 

(Public Supreme Honors are given by all members, 
led by the marshals; but after the badge of office has 
been put on the W. S.) 

W. S. — You may conduct the presiding officer 
to the station in the East, and present the Worthy 
Vice-Shepherd elect. 



144 Ancient Order of Pilgrims. 

(The marshals salute the installing officer and 
present the Worthy Vice-Shepherd in the same man- 
ner as before.) 

W. S. — With much pleasure do I welcome you, 
now that you are about entering upon the duties 
of so responsible an office. Your duty, from time to 
time, will be to assist the Worthy Shepherd (Su- 
preme Worthy Shepherd) in upholding the honor 
of the chair, and maintain order throughout the 
transaction of the business. Do you realize the 
importance attached to your office, and do you 
promise to conform to all the requirements thereof ? 

Ans. — I do. 

W. S. — After investing the Worthy Vice-Shep- 
herd with the insignia of office the Marshals will 
conduct him (her) to his (her) station in the West 
and present the next officer in rank. 

(The marshals execute the order as before and pre- 
sent the Worthy Recorder.) 

Marshal — Worthy Shepherd, I have the honor 
to present for installation as Worthy Eecorder of 

Sanctuary No , Brother (Sister) 

, who has been elected to serve during 

the ensuing year. 

W. S. — With the utmost pleasure I congratulate 
you on the eve of assuming the duties of one of the 
most responsible offices of this sanctuary (frater- 
nity). Your duty as Worthy Eecorder (Supreme 



Kites and Ceremonies. 145 

Worthy Recorder) is to keep a correct account of 
the proceeding's on all occasions, and thus place 
this sanctuary (fraternity) in the front rank of 
progress. The marshal will now invest the Worthy 
Recorder with the insignia of office, and will pre- 
sent the Worthy Locker after having conducted the 
Worthy Recorder to his station in the East to the 
left of the Worthy Shepherd. 

(The order is executed as before.) 

Marshal — Worthy Shepherd, I present to you 

Brother (sister) , who has been 

duly elected Worthy Locker for the ensuing year. 

W. S. Brother (sister) , being the choice 

of a majority of the members of this sanctuary 
(fraternity) for the position of Worthy Locker 
shows the high estimation in which you are held. 

Into your hands will be placed the funds of the 
Order for safe keeping, which may be called for at 
any moment to administer to the necessities of 
such worthy members who may become objects of 
our charity, and worthy of relief from us in their 
distress. Do you hereby promise and pledge to 
maintain the confidence imposed in you, and on 
retiring from office to surrender to your successor 
whatever funds and records which may be in your 
possession and belonging to the Order ? 



146 Ancient Order of Pilgrims. 

Ans. — I do. 

W. S. — The Marshals will invest the Worthy 
Locker with the insignia of office, conduct him to 
his station to the right of the Worthy Shepherd 
in the East, and present for installation the Worthy 
Senior Usher and the Worthy Patrol. 

(The order is executed as before, the candidates for 
installation having a position between the marshals.) 

Marshal — Worthy Shepherd, with much pleasure 

we present to you Brother and Brother 

, who have been elected to the offices of 

Worthy Senior Usher and Worthy Patrol, respec- 
tively. 

W. S. — My , your duty is to prepare 

and conduct candidates through the ceremonies of 
initiation into the mysteries of our fraternity, as 
well as to execute such orders about the sanctuary 
as the Worthy Shepherd may direct. It is of ne- 
cessity that you be well acquainted with the work- 
ings of our Order, that you might rightly present 
its beautiful truths and lessons to those who come 
ready and qualified to receive instruction. 

Ever bear in mind that the nature of the im- 
pression made upon a candidate depends upon the 
amount of care exercised in the discharge of your 
duty. As Worthy Senior Usher and Worthy Pa- 



Eites and Ceremonies. 147 

trol, do you sacredly promise to perform creditably 
the duties devolving upon you? 

Ans. — We do. 

}Y. S. — The Marshals will invest these officers 

with the proper insignia of office. 

(The Marshals invest each of the officers with the 
badge of office.) 

W. S. — Worthy Senior Usher, the scroll and 
baton within the star, which is your badge of of- 
fice, is a symbol of well formulated plans and their 
consummation, and teaches that as the first im- 
pressions upon a candidate are lasting, they should 
in all cases be good. Worthy Patrol, your badge, 
the baton within the star, is to remind you that 
the preservation of good discipline is a necessity to 
the welfare of your fraternity. The Marshals will 
conduct these officers to their respective stations, 
and present the Worthy Junior Usher and Worthy 
Sentinel for installation. 

(The Marshals execute the order as before.) 

Marshal — Worthy Shepherd, it is a pleasing 

duty to present Brother and Brother 

. . , who have been duly elected Worthy 

Junior Usher and Worthy Sentinel, respectively, of 
this sanctuary for the ensuing year. 

W. S. — My , you are the inner and 

outer guards of the entrance to this sanctuary. To 



148 Ancient Order of Pilgrims. 

you is intrusted the protection of the secrecy of 
our proceedings and the prevention of such alarms 
as will disturb unnecessarily the solemnity of our 
ceremonies. Do you promise to discharge your 
duties faithfully and with the utmost zeal? 

Ans. — We do. 

W. S. — The Marshals will invest these officers 
with the badge of office. 

(The Marshals invest each officer with the badge 
of office.) 

W. S. — Worthy Junior Usher, the dove within 
the star symbolizes peace, and indicates that har- 
mony is essential to the prosperity of our Order. 
Worthy Sentinel, the crossed-swords within the star 
is a sign of protection. At your post be ever vigi- 
lant, as our safety against intruders rests upon 
your watchfulness. The Marshals will conduct 
these officers to their stations and present the 
Worthy Inspirator and the Worthy Counselor for 
installation. 

(The order is executed as before, and as the Mar- 
shals conduct the Worthy Inspirator and the Worthy 
Counselor to the East, the members sing an appro- 
priate hymn accompanied by music when possible. A 
sacred instrumental selection can be substituted for 
the same.) 

Marshal — Worthy Shepherd, I present to you 
and , who have been elected 



Rites axd Ceremonies. 149 

to the offices of Worthy Inspirator and Worthy 
Counselor, respectively, for the ensuing year. 

W. S. — My brother (sister), your position is 
one of marked distinction, as is evidenced by your 
station in the center of the sanctuary. There is 
the Holy Bible, the revelation of Divine Truth, 
and through its sacred pages are taught the les- 
sons of love, faith, hope, holiness and the other 
Christian graces. It will be your duty to invoke 
the blessings from on high upon the deliberations 
of your sanctuary, and to instruct those who seek 
admonition in those heavenly virtues which are 
illustrated in the lives and characters you present. 

May a halo of beauty and sublimity encircle your 
station, as typified by the crown and stars, the 
symbol of your office. 

(Marshal invests Inspirator with badge.) 

Worthy Counselor, the office to which you have 
been elected is one of significance. Your badge of 
office, the anchor, symbolizes the steadfast hope and 
our assurance of safety in being anchored to the 
principles and virtues of our ancient mysteries. 
Your duty will require safe and wise counsel on 
your part with the officers and members of the 
sanctuary. 

When the trials and sufferings, which mortal 
man is heir to, arise almost too grievous to be borne, 



150 Ancient Order of Pilgrims. 

by wise co-operation between you and your Worthy 
Inspirator, and your Worthy Shepherd, the mem- 
bership may realize that the afflictions of this 
world are not worthy of comparison to the joys 
that await us in the Great Beyond. 

(The Marshal invests the Worthy Counselor with 
the badge of office.) 

W. S. — The Marshals will conduct these officers 
to their stations and present for installation the 
board of Worthy Trustees. 

(The Order is executed as before, and the three Trus- 
tees and the Marshals approach the East hand in hand — 
one of whom walks between the two Marshals.) 

Marshal — Worthy Shepherd, we take great pleas- 
ure in presenting to you Brothers , 

and , who have been elected to the office of 

Worthy Trustees of this sanctuary for the ensuing 
year. 

W. S. — My brethren, the office to which you have 
been elected shows the high regard and esteem the 
members of your sanctuary have in your ability and 
judgment to look after the material welfare of the 
sanctuary. Your badge of office, the burning lamp. 
symbolizes the searching scrutiny to be exercised in 
the light of truth in reference to all the business 
transactions, and especially the investment and ex- 
penditure of the funds of this sanctuary. Do you 



Eites axd Ceremonies. 151 

pledge yourselves, in the presence of the members 
here assembled, to faithfully discharge your duties ? 

Ans. — We do. 

W. S. — After investing these officers with the in- 
signia of office, the Marshals will present for in- 
stallation the Supreme Council. 

(The order is executed as before, and the members 
of the Supreme Council are presented.) 

Marshal — Supreme Worthy Shepherd, we pre- 
sent, with the highest degree of pleasure, the fol- 
lowing brethren, as members of the Supreme Coun- 
cil, to-wit 

S. W. S. — My brethren, though the last to be pre- 
sented for installation, your position in the Order 
is one of the most exalted. Your badge of office, 
the emblem of Justice and the Book of the Law, 
suggest the spirit and temperament of mind which 
should be uppermost in all your deliberations. 

There can be no higher duty nor any greater 
responsibility imposed upon you by our institution 
than the responsibility of sitting in judgment as a 
judicial tribunal for the adjudication of grievances, 
charges, complaints' and appeals as they arise 
throughout the Jurisdiction. 

As the Marshals invest you with the insignia of 
your office, let us impress you that your purpose 



152 Ancient Order of Pilgrims. 

should be to regard the spirit rather than the letter 
when vindicating the majesty of the law. 



II.— BURIAL CEREMOXY. 

(a) At the Home, 

(The burial ceremony at the home may be omitted 
at the discretion of the Worthy Shepherd, or any one 
of the ceremonies, for that matter, at the request of 
the relatives of the deceased, but the custom in vogue 
is opposed to the total elimination of the ceremony. 

The position of the Worthy Shepherd and the mem- 
bers is at the foot of the corpse, while the family 
stands at the head.) 

Worthy Shepherd — We have come to perform 
the last sad office of the dead, a duty we all regret 
the necessity of, but one which we are compelled to 
discharge. 

On such an occasion many thoughts come to us 
to render it sad and solemn; memories of the times 
we have communed together, and of numberless 
reflections that come to us afresh. We assemble 
here as brethren and sisters of the deceased, for we 
have taken the vow to love and cherish in sickness. 
and in health, and in death. 

Bound by ties of affection, we live with and for 
each other, and thus we realize that no man liveth 
unto himself, and that no man comes into this 
world and passes out unnoticed. Every moment of 



Kites and Ceremonies. 153 

man makes a complete record of itself in the uni- 
verse of mind and matter, and though we may 
fancy that our actions are obliterated by the wave 
of oblivion, yet the lesson of science is that im- 
pressions made by word or deed can never be ef- 
faced. 

God, in His infinite wisdom, has seen fit to thus 
remind us of the frailty of human life by the de- 
mise of our fellow member, and in his death we 
are admonished of the necessity of preparation for 
the mysterious separation of soul and body. The 
instructions given us by our Heavenly Father are 
impressive and profound, and sad and solemn and 
grievous as they are, these afflictions are necessary 
lest man forget his God. 

The deceased has gone the way of all the earth, 
and has succumbed to the ravages of death — the 
conqueror before whom all must bow. We are satis- 
fied that all within the power of man has been done 
to stay the inevitable, but to no avail; and, strive 
as we may to disguise death with soft words and 
soothing images, it remains for the living a dark, 
inscrutable mystery. When the home is left deso- 
late, what human voice can comfort? 

May we all live in the fear and admonition of 
God, so that when death shall come to garner us in 



154 Anciext Order of Pilgrims. 

we will be reacty and waiting to enter the Great 
Beyond. Let us pray : 

(The Worthy Shepherd makes an extemporaneous 
prayer, or reads the following: ) 

God, our Heavenly Father, before whom all 
angels bow and cast their glittering crowns, crying, 
Holy ! Holy ! is the Lord God of Sabaoth ; heaven 
and earth are full of Thy glory. It is oefore Thee 
that we, finite creatures, bow our heads in grief, 
asking Thy help that we may endure the bereave- 
ment of this hour. 

From the depths of our hearts we are thankful 
for Thy merciful kindness, the preservation of our 
lives, and the health and strength we now enjoy. 

Forgive us, Father, our trespasses, so that they 
will not arise to condemn us in the final judgment. 
Help us to labor patiently in Thy vineyard, so that 
when the night cometh we shall receive our just re- 
ward. And, Father, may we keep the purpose of 
our Order ever before us that we may continue to 
do good for each other, and to do Thy holy will ; 
and when we come to press our dying pillow, grant 
that our lives shall have been such that Thy pres- 
ence shall make death a relief, and we shall enter 
into Thy kingdom ever to dwell with Thee. 

Members (Respotise) — Amen ! amen ! amen ! 

Singing. 



Rites and Ceremonies. 155 



{b) Services at the Church. 

(On arrival at the church, the members form two 
parallel columns, facing each other, both extending 
from the door, between which the corpse, followed by 
the relatives, is borne into the church. The Worthy- 
Shepherd and the Worthy Vice-Shepherd carrying 
the floral anchor follow next, and they in turn by the 
members, two by two, one from each column, those 
standing next the door being the last to enter. 

The floral anchor prepared for the occasion and 
having a sprig of evergreen, a blue, a yellow, a white 
and a red flower on the respective points of the an- 
chor, and which are easily detached, is placed on the 
casket of the deceased. 

When the moment arrives at which the ceremony 
is to be performed, the Worthy Shepherd gently 
sounds the gavel and the Worthy Vice-Shepherd, the 
Worthy Senior Usher and the Worthy Junior Usher 
stand on the right of the Worthy Shepherd in the 
order named; and the Worthy Gounselor^he Worthy 
Patrol and the Worthy Inspirator stand on the left 
of the Worthy Shepherd, in the order named. 

The Worthy Shepherd takes up the anchor and 
proceeds as follows, the members remaining seated:) 

W. S. — This floral design executed in the colors 
and tints of nature, and from her own fragrant 
blossoms, speaks to us in terms more powerful than 
words. 

These flowers, plucked from the gardens of na- 
ture, act as a preservative against the decaying 
thoughts of death, and give to the dead the sem- 
blance of sleep, and beautifying them in that sleep, 



156 Anciext Order of Pilgrims. 

they tell us that those in the grave are not forgot- 
ten; that the remembrance of them will ever be 
fresh and green in the minds of the sorrowing 
ones. 

We, like these beautiful flowers of earth, droop, 
dwindle and are consumed; yet in the springtime 
of regeneration come to life again, and in that gar- 
den eternally in the heavens, prepared by the om- 
nipotent hand, if we have been faithful, we shall 
germinate, bloom and radiate a fragrance of eternal 
salvation; therefore, let them forever garnish the 
casket and blossom on the grave. 

In our burial rites, flowers are of much signifi- 
cance. They are the thoughts of God painted upon 
the canvas of nature, and suggest through their ex- 
quisite forms, variety . of colors and entrancing 
sweetness, valuable lessons given for the benefit 
of man. It is meet, therefore, that in our sad and 
solemn rites we bring in these natural symbols and 
the lessons they teach, and I now request that the 
Worthy Vice-Shepherd select from these silent men- 
tors of truth that fragment of the design which 
appeals most to you and tell us of its meaning. 

(Handing the anchor to the W. V. S.) 

W. V. S. — Brothers and sisters, my duty is to 
ever direct your attention to the blue concave over- 



Eites and Ceremonies. 157 

head, beyond which is the peaceful abode of our 
departed friend. 

(Draws the blue flower from the anchor and, hold- 
ing it up, returns the anchor to the Worthy Shep- 
herd, saying:) 

This blue flower, the color of which has always 
been recognized as typical of true friendship, in- 
stills in us the idea of ceaseless and eternal love. 
From the remote ages of antiquity up to the pres- 
ent time, some have thought the spirits of our dead 
and buried friends come back when the love emo- 
tions be strongest in our bosoms, and that they 
bring us cheer and comfort from the Celestial City. 
Others think that our Heavenly Parents send us 
swift-winged messengers from the shining courts on 
high to give relief to the broken-hearted and suc- 
cor to the distressed. Forever believing that true 
love is as essential as the God who gave it, I place 
this memorial of our affection in the tomb with the 
body of our departed. 

(Drops the flower into the grave or places it on the 
casket.) 

W. S. — Worthy Counselor, draw from the anchor 
of hope that flower which appeals to you most, and 
tell us of its meaning. 

(Handing the anchor to the W. C.) 

W. C. — My duty is to point to the sun as it sinks 
behind the western hills in purple and gold, in- 



158 Ancient Order of Pilgrims. 

dicative of the peaceful death-bed of those who 
slumber sweetly in the Lord. 

(Draws a yellow flower from the anchor and, hold- 
ing it up, returns the anchor to the Worthy Shep- 
herd, saying: ) 

This yellow flower, emblematic of unselfish be- 
nevolence, teaches us the lesson of everlasting own- 
ership. We are taught in the Scriptures that it is 
only that which is given in good will which remains 
with us when time shall roll its weight of years into 
eternity. Trusting this, we gently place our cher- 
ished friends in the tomb, believing that He who 
marks the sparrow's fall will vigilantly guard our 
interest in the grave. 

Forever believing that love is as perpetual as 
the everlasting hills themselves, I place this memo- 
rial of our love on the casket of our departed. 

(Drops the flower in the grave or places it on the 
casket.) 

W. S. — Worthy Senior Usher, select from the an- 
chor of hope that fragment of the design which 
appeals most to you, and tell us of its meaning. 

W. S. U. — My duty is to point to the immaculate 
habiliments of just men made perfect, the undefiled 
legacy which our Heavenly Father has prepared for 
those who keep their faith in the crucified Ee- 
deemer. 



Eites and Ceremonies. 159 

(Draws the white flower and, holding it up, re- 
turns the anchor to the Worthy Shepherd, saying:) 

This white flower represents truth and purity, 
and symbolizes a guileless heart. When Christ 
lifted up His voice on the mountain-side and said, 
"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see 
God," he made a promise, the consummation of 
which gives hope to each and all of us. Knowing 
that Christ can not err, and that His words are 
true, I deposit this memorial on the casket of the 
departed, bowing in reverence to His will. 

(Drops flower into the grave or places it upon the 
casket.) 

W. S. — Worthy Patrol, select from the anchor 
of hope that portion of the design which appeals 
most to you, and tell us of its meaning. 

W. P. — My duty is to constantly direct attention 
to the verdure of the evergreen as typical of the 
trees that are planted by "the river of water," that 
forever flourished and are blooming. 

(Draws the green sprig from the anchor and, hold- 
ing it up, returns the anchor to the Worthy Shepherd, 
saying:) 

This sprig of evergreen, emblematical of life 
eternal, instructs us to follow a course of unfeigned 
purity. Those who walk in the statutes of our 
Saviour will never deviate from this course; trials 
may come; conflicts may rise; the world, the flesh 



160 Ancient Order of Pilgrims. 

and the devil will invent many devices to allure 
them from the path of rectitude; but they will 
never deviate from their cherished course. The 
mysterious plan of salvation works out of the sad- 
dest bereavements, the most glowing results, and 
so we must all die and go to the grave that in the 
morning of the resurrection those who have been 
faithful over a few things shall rise triumphant 
with healing in their wings. Knowing this to be 
true that the love of God, which passeth all un- 
derstanding, is as firm as the everlasting Eock of 
Ages, I drop this emblem of our hope in the grave 
on the casket of our beloved dead. 

(Drops the sprig into the grave or places it on the 
casket.) 

W. S. — Worthy Junior Usher, draw from the 
anchor that fragment which appeals most to you, 
and tell us of its meaning. 

W. J. U. — My duty is to call attention to the 
beautiful sunrise, indicative of a peaceful resur- 
rection of those who fall asleep in the Lord. 

(Draws a red flower from the anchor and, holding 
it up, returns the anchor to the Worthy Shepherd, 
saying:) 

This red flower, emblematical of animated zeal, 
teaches a lesson of never-changing beauty. We are 
told that the beauty of that Celestial City surpasses 
all understanding ; that its gates are of pearl, swing- 



Bites axd Ceremonies. 161 

ing on hinges of gold. The temples are the handi- 
work of the Divine Architect; the streets are laid 
with gold and precious stones; and, through the 
center of the city flows the Biver of Life, clear as a 
crystal; and that from the countenance of God ra- 
diates a halo that illuminates the city with its efful- 
gent rays. The inhabitants are the redeemed, 
whose robes have been washed in the blood of the 
Lamb, and these are they who make glad the city of 
our God with songs and hallelujahs. Believing 
that true friendship is eternal, I drop this memorial 
on the casket of our deceased. 

(Drops the flower into the grave or on the casket.) 

Worthy Inspirator — In remembrance of those we 
love and who have crossed the great divide, we 
plant flowers to spring from their final resting 
place. 

Truth has been depicted in all the works of na- 
ture, and especially is this so in the flowers, with 
their signs and symbols. They are the 

"Emblems of our great resurrection, 
Emblems of the brighter, better land." 

With confidence, hope and love we scatter these 
flowers, typical of the beneficent purpose of God. 

(Takes from the bosom a pure white flower, and hold- 
ing it up, says:) 



162 Ancient Order of Pilgrims. 

This white rose, the most beautiful of flowers, 
denoting purity, chastity and innocence, is striking- 
ly emblematical of that pure and better existence 
beyond the grave. The curtain of despair may wrap 
its drapery about the shadow of death; profound 
solemnity may cause us to shudder and grow sick 
at heart; but the pure, bright light of hope eman- 
ating from the countenance of God will cause us 
to look up and hope for a brighter day. Heavenly 
Father, all nations praise Thee with one accord. 
We, Thy children, are thankful for the manifold 
manifestations of Thy love, and commend the spirit 
of our lamented deceased to Thy sacred care, hop- 
ing that in the morning of the resurrection he 
(she) shall come forth a child of the King. 

(Presses the flower to the lips, drops it into the 
grave or places it upon the casket, saying: ) 

Until then, beloved, rest in peace. 

W. S. — With God all things are done in love. 
His actions may cause us to wring our hands, tear 
our hair and pour forth a flood of tears ; but all is 
for the best. Believing this, 1 deposit this anchor 
on the casket of our lamented brother (sister). 

(Places balance of anchor on the grave or on the 
casket.) 

Death comes not only to plants and flowers, but 
to each and all of us, for all flesh is as the grass, 



Rites and Ceremoxies. 163 

and all the glory of .nations as the flower of the 
grass. The grass withereth and the flower thereof 
falleth away, but the children of God shall meet 
again at the River of Jordan. 

W. S. — (*** — * — *** raps) — Let us sing. 

W. S. — The sacred rites of the dead have been 
performed. We all know that death is certain, and 
it remains for ns to prepare for that day when 
we must stand before the judgment of God. If our 
lives have been pure and untarnished, we shall 
sweep into the presence of our Maker and receive 
His smiles of approbation; but if our lives have 
been blackened by sin and unrighteousness, an un- 
relenting frown that augurs banishment and eternal 
damnation shall meet our inconsiderate gaze. 
Brothers, sisters and friends, truly has it been said 
that in the midst of life we are in death. There- 
fore, whatever conflicts we may have in this life, 
let our motto be Love, Benevolence and Concord. 

(The minister pronounces the benediction and the 
members pass out and form the columns at the door 
as before, while the seven officers who performed the 
ceremony follow the corpse out of the church imme- 
diately behind the relatives.) 

(c) Ceremony at the Grave. 

(When the ceremony is performed at the grave, the 
Worthy Shepherd and the members stand at the foot, 
of the grave, each wearing a small piece of crepe and 



164 Ancient Order of Pilgrims. 

a sprig of evergreen. The evergreen is deposited in 
the grave when the minister reads, "Dust to dust," 
etc. ) 

W. S. — What man is he that liveth and shall not 
see death? One generation passeth away and 
another eometh, but the earth abideth forever. 

As for man, his days are as grass. In the morn- 
ing it flourisheth and groweth up; in the evening 
it is cut down and withereth. For the wind passeth 
over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall 
know it no more. Watch, therefore, for ye know 
not what hour the Lord doth come, lest coming 
suddenly He find you sleeping. What I say unto 
you, I say unto all : Behold, I show you a mystery. 

We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed 
in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the 
last trumpet; for the trumpet shall sound and 
the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall 
put on incorruption and this mortal shall have 
been changed. For this corruptible must put on 
incorruption, and this mortal must put on immor- 
tality. So when this corruption shall have put 
on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the 
saying that is written : "Death is swallowed up in 
victory." 

(To the dead.) 

To thee, our beloved, may thy sleep be sweet. 
May thy pillow be as soft as clown, and may you rise 



Rites axd Ceremonies. 165 

in the glorious resurrection beautiful as the flowers 
of spring. Brothers, sisters and friends, knowing 
that we must soon quit the walks of this life, it is 
expedient that we should try to walk in the path 
of rectitude ; live virtuous lives ; visit the sick ; aid 
the needy; give a listening ear to the distressed, 
and make our lives Christlike, so that when we 
come to cross the chilly waters of death, Jesus, the 
Good Shepherd, will accompany us to the home not 
made with hands. 

(Prayer.) 

Members (Response) — Amen ! amen ! amen ! 

III.— THE ARK OF CONDOLENCE. 

The Ark of Condolence is, perhaps, the most sol- 
emn and sacred of the rites peculiar to the ancient 
usages. It is convened by established custom on 
the second clay of each Annual Conclave, at high- 
noon, and is presided over by the Supreme Worthy 
Vice- Shepherd, who occupies his station in the 
West. 

The seats are rearranged so that the members 
will face towards the West, and the hall is draped 
in mourning for the dead by a committee previously 
appointed for the purpose. The purpose of the 
rite is in commemoration of those members of the 



166 Ancient Order of Pilgrims. 

Order who have died in good and regular standing 
since the last Annual Conclave. 

The nature of the exercises consists ordinarily 
in a few preliminary remarks by the presiding offi- 
cer, brief, eulogistic remarks on the deceased by 
the Worthy Shepherd or by the representative of 
the sanctuary, the report of the Committee on 
Obituary, all of which is interspersed with hymns 
appropriate for the occasion. 

It is contrary to the customs and practices of 
the Order to conduct the Ark of Condolence in 
public, and since it is designed particularly to be 
impressive upon the membership, it is held within 
closed doors, and is inaccessible to any but mem- 
bers of the Order in good and regular standing. 
The Ark of Condolence can not be convened in a 
subordinate sanctuary, nor in any place or on any 
occasion except under the direction of the Supreme 
Home in x\nnual Conclave assembled. 

When the Ark of Condolence is convened, the 
regalia of the members is divested, save the badge, 
which must be turned to show the mourning side. 
The position of the members facing the west is 
symbolical of the interruption of the accustomed 
peace and harmony of all Pilgrimic households 
when visited by the Grim Eeaper, Death, and is 
suggestive of reflection. Figuratively speaking, it 



Eites and Ceremonies. 167 

is looking backwards, towards the West, over the 
same journey traveled a } r ear towards the East, 
thus endeavoring to catch the spirit by which we 
shall be enabled to inherit, in the kingdom not 
made with hands, eternal life. 

IV.— DECOKATION DAY. 

That our friends who fall asleep may not be too 
soon forgotten, another custom practiced among 
the people of the Pilgrimic virtues is the decora- 
tion of the graves of all the deceased members at 
least once a year. 

The presiding officer of each local sanctuary 
should provide for the same by appointing a com- 
mittee, whose duty it will be to have the cemetery 
lots of the sanctuary weeded, the graves kept clean 
and filled up, and decorated and beautified with 
flowers on Decoration Day. 

This is a custom peculiar to local sanctuaries 
only, and is entirely informal. The authority to 
exercise the privilege or custom does not require 
the sanction of the Supreme Worthy Shepherd by 
proclamation or otherwise. 

V.— THE THANKS OFEEKING. 

The most prominent and fundamental of the cus- 
toms peculiar to local sanctuaries is the Annual 



168 Ancient Order of Pilgrims. 

Thanks Offering, but, unlike the custom and prac- 
tice mentioned in Paragraph IV., it is subject to 
the proclamation of the Supreme Worthy Shep- 
herd. The date for the same is uniform for all 
the subordinate sanctuaries, unless by authority 
expressly granted otherwise by the Supreme Worthy 
Shepherd under the seal of the Order. 

The date for the Thanks Offering is usually deter- 
mined thus : It must be held on the nearest Sun- 
day to the 28th day of September, the date on 
which the Articles of Incorporation were signed 
and adopted by the original promoters of the Insti- 
tution, namely, Henry C. Hardy, Ueuben Thorn- 
ton and Joseph I. Eogers ; or it may be on the 
Sunday nearest the beginning of the one hundred 
and fifty days next preceding the 28th day of Sep- 
tember. The custom of using the latter date rose 
out of the Scriptural truth that the waters were 
not abated from the earth until after the expiration 
of one hundred and fifty days. 

On the date fixed by the proclamation the sub- 
ordinate sanctuaries in a Jurisdiction assemble at 
their hall, proceed to some place of worship to lis- 
ten to a sermon prepared by some minister who 
has been formally selected for the purpose. 

It is customary to have only one sermon in a 
Jurisdiction, regardless as to the number of sane- 



Rites and Ceremonies. 169 

tuaries operating in a community or in the corpor- 
ate limits of a town, and to further the purpose in 
this particular when there is more than one sanc- 
tuary in a Jurisdiction arrangements for the same 
are usually perfected by a joint committee selected 
for the purpose. 

The Worthy Shepherd of the oldest sanctuary in 
a local Jurisdiction is the authorized person to call 
a joint committee for the purpose, and is also the 
presiding chairman of the joint committee. The 
committee consists of two members from each of 
the local sanctuaries in the local Jurisdiction, one 
of whom must be a female. Long established cus- 
tom has decreed that the committee of two shall 
consist of the Worthy Shepherd of the sanctuary 
and one other, one of whom must be a female. 

The business of the joint committee is to select 
a Master of Ceremonies, or presiding officer, on the 
occasion of the Annual Sermon, who must be a 
Worthy Shepherd or a Past Worthy Shepherd; to 
select a church and minister for the occasion, and 
such other persons as may be necessary under the 
conditions to execute the program desired. 

Ordinarily the program on such an occasion 
consists merely of a short address on the princi- 
ples of the institution and the sermon, and yet it 
is the prerogative of the executive officers of the 



170 Ancient Order of Pilgrims. 

Supreme Home to order a special program for the 
occasion. 

By custom it has become a fundamental regula- 
tion of the Order that every member on this occa-' 
sion make a contribution, which is usually given as 
a donation to the Orphan Home Fund and to the 
minister officiating at the sermon, or to some other 
charitable institution. The idea is to have the con- 
tribution of the members appropriated for a pur- 
pose purely and solely charitable, rather than for 
the purpose of augmenting the funds of the local 
body for any other purpose. It is the prerogative 
of the Worthy Shepherd or of the sanctuary to fix a 
uniform contribution for such of the membership 
as is in his jurisdiction, and for which each mem- 
ber shall be held accountable. By custom, the ap- 
proved practice is where the Supreme Worthy Shep- 
herd, under his prerogative, fixes the contribution 
per member, and all are held liable therefor. 

VI.— VISITATION. 

The Supreme Worthy Shepherd is compelled to 
make one visit during each fiscal year to each of the 
sanctuaries in the Jurisdiction, and in order that 
he may be enabled to make as correct a report as is 
possible, showing the general condition of the Juris- 
diction, the annual visit is made near the close of 



Rites axd Ceremonies. 171 

the fiscal year. No sanetuar}- can refuse or reject 
the annual visit properly announced, and a sanc- 
tuary can not be said to have received the Supreme 
Worthy Shepherd on his annual visit unless it has 
present a constitutional quorum. Failure to re- 
ceive the Supreme Worthy Shepherd on the visit 
is considered a gross violation. 

And though the Supreme Worthy Shepherd is 
compelled by matter of law to make a visit to each 
of the subordinate sanctuaries in the Jurisdiction 
for the purpose of reporting its standing and prog- 
ress to the Annual Conclave, it is also his preroga- 
tive to visit any subordinate sanctuary of the Juris- 
diction as often as the occasion may arise, if the 
purpose of the visit is to regulate and investigate 
any matter affecting the general welfare of tho 
institution, locally or otherwise. 

By custom the visit for the purpose of ascer- 
taining the standing and progress of a local sanc- 
tuary must be made by the Supreme Worthy Shep- 
herd, and in the event of his failure or inability to 
make such a visit to any sanctuary, then the Su- 
preme Worthy Shepherd is required to assign the 
task of making such a visit to the Supreme Worthy 
Vice-Shepherd; and when such a task has been 
assigned to the Supreme Worthy Vice-Shepherd, 
that is, to act for the Supreme Worthy Shepherd in 
such a capacity, it shall be the duty of the Supreme 



172 Ancient Order of Pilgrims. 

Worthy Vice- Shepherd to so act, and his actions 
under such conditions must be under the direction 
and by the authority of the Supreme Worthy Shep- 
herd. There is nothing in the practices, however, 
which authorizes the Supreme Worthy Vice-Shep- 
herd to make such a visit unless the Supreme 
Worthy Shepherd has stated and expressed his in- 
ability to act. In short, the Supreme Worthy Vice- 
Shepherd has no authority to supersede the Su- 
preme Worthy Shepherd even if his failure or in- 
ability to act is due to sheer negligence. 

If conditions are such that neither the Supreme 
Worthy Shepherd nor the Supreme Worthy Vice- 
Shepherd can make the visit for the purpose of 
ascertaining the standing and progress of the sanc- 
tuaries, then the Supreme Worthy Shepherd has 
authority to designate for the purpose of making 
the visit any member of the Eoyal Sceptre Degree, 
who has the qualifications required for the office of 
Supreme Worthy Shepherd. And while it is true 
that the most desirable practice is that the Supreme 
Worthy Shepherd authorize the Supreme Worthy 
Vice-Shepherd to act for him in case of his in- 
ability, yet for the sake of convenience and because 
of other conditions very clear to him, the Supreme 
Worthy Shepherd may commission and authorize 
some person other than the Supreme Worthy Vice- 
Shepherd to act as his representative in any offi- 



Eites axd Ceremonies. 173 

cial capacity in the Jurisdiction, on a special occa- 
sion. 

On the occasion of the annual visit, when the 
Supreme Worthy Shepherd arrives, the Worthy 
Shepherd appoints a committee of two — usually 
two Past Worthy Shepherds — whose duty is to re- 
tire to the ante-room and escort him in. After 
alarming the door, they enter walking hand in 
hand, the Supreme Worthy Shepherd being between 
the two. As they enter the door, the Worthy Shep- 
herd calls up the sanctuary with the proper raps of 
the gavel, and as the three proceed to the altar the 
members sing. 

Having saluted the East, the Supreme Worthy 
Shepherd is escorted to the station of the Worthy 
Shepherd, who surrenders to him the gavel and 
takes a position on the floor facing the East, but 
between the Worthy Counselor and the Worthy In- 
spirator, and says : 

W. S. — We hail the Supreme Worthy Shepherd 
of the Jurisdiction of 

(The members, led by the Worthy Shepherd, give 
the private Supreme Honors three times, accompanied 
by the following words, the sign being made by touch- 
ing the right and left shoulders with the tips of the 
fingers of the right and left hands, respectively, plac- 
ing the forearms across the breast with the right arm 
on top, and then dropping the hands suddenly to the 
sides: ) 



174 Ancient Order of Pilgrims. 

Members (Response) — We hail the Shepherd of 
Concord. 

(All make the sign of private Supreme Honors 
once.) 

Members (Response) — We hail the Worthy 
Shepherd of Benevolence and Concord. 

(All members give the private Supreme Honors 
once.) 

Members (Response) — We hail the Supreme 
Worthy Shepherd of Love, Benevolence and Con- 
cord. 

(All members give the private Supreme Honors 
once.) 

The Supreme Worthy Shepherd seats the sanc- 
tuary, takes charge of the meeting, and invites the 
Worthy Shepherd to a seat at his side. After ad- 
dressing the members on the principles of the Order 
and its progress' and condition generally, he ascer- 
tains from the membership answers to the follow- 
ing questions, and such others as in his judgment 
may serve the best purpose of the institution : 

1 — The present membership ; 2 — The increase or 
decrease during the year; 3 — Cash on hand at the 
beginning of the fiscal year; 4 — The receipts for 
the fiscal year to date; 5 — Expenditures for relief 
during the year to date ; 6 — Indebtedness to the 
Supreme Home; 7 — Local indebtedness other than 



Rites axd Ceremonies. 175 

on real estate ; 8 — Indebtedness on real estate ; 9— 
Cash on hand; 10 — Barnes of deceased for the fis- 
cal year; 11 — Death claims unpaid; 12 — Members 
disrespectful to the Worthy Shepherd; 13 — Mem- 
bers guilty of habitual drunkenness ; 11 — Members 
entering the meeting in a state of intoxication; 15 
— Members living in adultery; 16 — Members given 
to gaming; 17 — Is the Worthy Shepherd fair and 
just in his ruling; 18 — Are the members advised 
as to the funds on hand and the business gener- 
ally; 19 — Are the members instructed in the secret 
work; 20 — Are there any grievances? 

The Supreme Worthy Shepherd when present 
officially supersedes the Worthy Shepherd, but he 
is subject to the Supreme Council and to the Su- 
preme Home for any usurpation of authority or 
violation of the regulation, rites and customs. 

When officers of the Supreme Home or distin- 
guished members of the Order are visiting, other 
than the Supreme Worthy Shepherd, it is cus- 
tomary to salute them with the public Supreme 
Honors. 

VII.— OEDEE OF PARADE AXD DEESS. 

The order of parade is as follows : Band of mu- 
sic; marshal; officers in pairs, according to rank; 
male members in double column; and then the fe- 
male members in carriages. 



176 Ancient Order of Pilgrims. 

The dress for male members is black suit, white 
vest and tie, and black hat, on all occasions; for 
female members on funeral occasions the customary 
dress is black skirt and white waist, but for the 
annual sermon, anniversaries and the like, the cus- 
tomary dress is all white and a white sailor hat. If 
the season of the year permits, the white sailor hat 
can be discarded and a white rose in the hair sub- 
stituted therefor by the consent and authority of - 
the Worthy Shepherd in the case of local sanctua- 
ries or by the consent and authority of the Su- 
preme Worthy Shepherd when a parade is under 
the auspices of the Supreme Jurisdiction. 

The regalia for members and officers, males and 
females, on funeral occasions, is the badge with the 
mourning side showing, and the crepe and ever- 
green. For other occasions the approved regalia is : 

(a) In the Silver Cloud Degree, the tree of 
knowledge on a white apron, for males; a white 
badge, same emblem, in silver, for females. 

(b) In the Star Degree, the Ark on a blue 
apron, for males; same emblem, in gold, on a blue 
badge, for females. 

(c) In the Crown Degree, purple apron, any 
emblem of the Crown Degree or the rising sun, sil- 
ver fringe. Purple collar, six stars of silver, three 
on either side, silver braid and fringe, for males. 



Rites axd Ceremonies. 177 

Purple badge, emblem of tree of knowledge, on me- 
dallion, Holy Bible, gold braid and fringe, for fe- 
males. 

(d) In the Royal Sceptre Degree, purple apron, 
emblem of dove and olive branch, gold braid and 
fringe, L. B. C. Purple collar, one anchor and star 
on either side, gold braid and fringe, for male 
members who have served in the office of Worthy 
Shepherd. Robe of purple, white collar and cuffs, 
gold braid and fringe, purple cord and tassel, for 
females who have served in the office of Worthy 
Shepherd. 

The regalia for the Silver Cloud and the Star 
Degrees is for the purpose of working in those de- 
grees, and the members other than those of the 
Crown Degree and of the Royal Sceptre Degree are 
not privileged to make a public demonstration in 
regalia or otherwise under the auspices of the Or- 
der. On anniversary occasions, installations, and 
the like, a member is privileged to wear the regalia 
of the Degree which he has attained, and with the 
approval of the Supreme Jurisdiction, a member 
having attained the Royal Sceptre Degree, but not 
having served in the office of Worthy Shepherd, 
may be authorized to wear the regalia thereof. 



178 Ancient Order of Pilgrims. 



VIII.— THE SEAL. 

The seal of the local sanctuary is in charge of 
the Worthy Recorder, who is the custodian thereof. 
All official instruments of- writing issued to the 
local members or communicated to the Home Of- 
fice of the Supreme Jurisdiction should have its 
impression thereon, in order to authenticate their 
validity. 

The design of the seal is the name, number and 
location of the sanctuary, the dove and the olive 
branch, together with the three cardinal princi- 
ples, within a circle. 

The seal of the Supreme Jurisdiction is for the 
purpose of authenticating all instruments of writ- 
ing issued by the Supreme Jurisdiction, especially 
the rulings, decrees, mandates and orders of the 
Executive Officers and the Supreme Council. 

The design of the seal consists of the corporate 
name of the institution, the dove and olive branch, 
together with the crescent, within two concentric 
circles. The custodian of the seal of the Supreme 
Jurisdiction is the Supreme Worthy Eecorder. 

IX.— CLEARANCE CARDS. 

The Clearance Card, in its various forms, grows 
out of a long established custom, and serves to pro- 



Eites axd Ceremonies. 179 

tect the institution in one of its most fundamental 
prerequisites for membership, to-wit : That no 
person who is indebted to the institution or to any 
one of its local branches for the non-payment of 
dues is qualified for membership in the institution, 
even though the sanctuary to which such indebted- 
ness might be due is inoperative. The Clearance is 
issued in several forms, which are the 

(a) Ordinary Clearance. A member who desires' 
to transfer his membership to another sanctuary is 
required to pay all his dues, taxes, assessments, 
special and general, due to the local sanctuary and 
to the Supreme Jurisdiction to the end of the cur- 
rent month in which he makes request for such a 
transfer. He is granted a Clearance Certificate 
certifying to the fact of such payment, with the 
seal of the sanctuary, and the signatures of the 
Worthy Eecorder and the Worthy Shepherd at- 
tached thereto. The certificate is made to read 
valid for a period of ninety days from the last day 
of the month for which said payment of dues and 
taxes has been made, and it is the duty of the 
Worthy Shepherd to grant such a clearance on de- 
mand if he is satisfied there are no charges, com- 
plaints or grievances pending or on the eve of 
being filed against the applicant for violation of the 
rules, regulations, customs or practices of the Order. 



180 Axciext Order of Pilgrims. 

Under an Ordinary Clearance a member forfeits 
all rights and privileges and benefits in the Order, 
immediately upon the issuance of the same, ex- 
cepting, however, the right to petition for member- 
ship and the right to visit any subordinate sanc- 
tuary during the life of the Clearance. A member 
under an Ordinary Clearance forfeits his office in 
•the local body from which he withdraws or forfeits 
his office in the Supreme Home, if he should hold 
one. The distinctive value of an Ordinary Clear- 
ance enables the holder to be eligible to apply for 
membership in the Order at any future date, re- 
gardless of the lapse of time. 

(b) Protected Clearance. — It frequently happens 
that a member desires to move his membership to 
another city where he purposes to reside, or it may 
be that conditions are such that it is desirable to 
transfer his membership to another sanctuary hav- 
ing co-ordinate jurisdiction, and that he desires to 
make such a transfer and have all his rights, privi- 
leges' and prerogatives preserved. In such a case a 
member is granted what is called a Protected Clear- 
ance, but in order to procure such a clearance the 
dues, taxes and assessments of the applicant must 
not only be paid up to the date of application, but 
to a period of not less than ninety days in advance. 

During the life of such a Clearance, which reads 
to expire at the end of the last month for which 



Rites and Ceremonies. 181 

payment has been made, the holder makes applica- 
tion to some other sanctuary of his choice, and 
during the life of said Clearance such an one is 
entitled to all the rights, privileges and benefits of 
the Order through the local sanctuary from which 
said Protected Clearance emanated. 

When an applicant by Protected Clearance has 
been received, it is customary for the Worthy Re- 
corder to notify the sanctuary which granted the 
Clearance, in order that it ma}', at its option, trans- 
fer the balance of advanced dues, taxes and assess- 
ments to the credit of such a member to the sanc- 
tuary of which he has recently become a member, 
and thus relinquish the responsibility of providing 
relief for him. The distinctive value of such a 
Clearance is that one does not forfeit his rights as 
an officer in the Supreme Home, nor vitiate his 
eligibility for office in the local sanctuary nor in 
the Supreme Home; and neither does he depre- 
ciate the value of his insurance in the Beneficiary 
Department of the Order. 

(c) Supreme Home Clearance. It frequently 
happens that local sanctuaries are suspended for 
violation of the rules and regulations, or they be- 
come inoperative through the negligence of local 
officers, and that there are a number of members 
in good standing who do not desire to sever their 
connection with the fraternity and consequently are 



182 Ancient Order of Pilgrims. 

not averse to complying with the regulations and re- 
quirements of the Order. Or it may be that there 
are persons who have at some time in the past been 
members of a subordinate sanctuary, which is at 
the time inoperative, and they also desire to revive 
their membership. 

In such cases of the first kind an applicant may 
be granted a Supreme Home Clearance, Class A; 
of the latter kind they may be granted a Supreme 
Home Clearance, Class B. 

The Ordinary and the Protected Clearance can 
not be denied in the absence of charges and com- 
plaints, if the withdrawal of the applicant will 
leave remaining a Constitutional quorum. The Su- 
preme Home Clearance, Class A, shall be granted 
if in the judgment of the Supreme Worthy Shep- 
herd the applicant will conform to the require- 
ments of the Order, while that of Class B shall be 
granted upon satisfactory proof to the Supreme 
Home office that the applicant therefor has at one 
time or another received the degrees in a regularly 
constituted sanctuary. 

Applicants by clearance are not subject to ini- 
tiation, but the petitions of such applicants are sub- 
ject to investigation and ballot. An applicant by 
Ordinary Clearance or by Supreme Home Clear- 
ance, Class B, is subject to the ballot as by original 



Eites axd Ceremonies. 183 

petition; applicant by Protected Clearance can be 
received by a majority ballot. 



X.— HOW TO INSTITUTE A SANCTUAKY. 

An association is voluntarily formed by persons 
interested or under the direction of a dnly author- 
ized agent commissioned by the Supreme Home. 

Under the direction of the agent, the associa- 
tion, in its own manner, tests the fitness of appli- 
cants to become members thereof, with the purpose 
of becoming members of the Order. The associa- 
tion selects' its own officers and makes application 
to the Supreme Home office to be organized as a 
sanctuary or a subordinate body, giving the name, 
the location of the sanctuary as to town, county and 
State, and the officers and their titles for the first 
year. 

At the hour previously agreed upon, due and 
legal authority having been first given, the Com- 
missioner says : 

Commissioner — My friends, every one present 
having paid the admission fee requisite to become 
a member, and having fulfilled all other require- 
ments in regard to qualifications for membership, 
we are assembled on this occasion for the perform- 
ance of an interesting and important duty — prac- 
tically extending the principles of the fraternity by 



184 Ancient Order of Pilgrims. 

instituting a sanctuary in this town, the Jurisdic- 
tion of which will be the city of 

May the establishment of this sanctuary bind 
you together in acts of love, benevolence and con- 
cord. It now becomes my duty to exhibit to you 
the authority under and by virtue of which this' 
sanctuary, as well as myself, is due and legally 
warranted to act. 

(The Commissioner reads his authority or commis- 
sion as granted by the Order, his certificate of au- 
thority issued by the Insurance Department, and 
inspects the medical certificates and the fitness of the 
candidates.) 

Com. — Ladies and gentlemen, I here now declare 
you, in conformity with the terms of this authority 
granted by the Supreme Home of the Ancient 

Order of Pilgrims, Jurisdiction of .. to 

be duly and legally qualified, eligible and competent 
to organize a subordinate body of the Ancient Or- 
der of Pilgrims, subject to all the mandates and 
regulations of the Supreme Home of the Ancient 

Order of Pilgrims, Jurisdiction of . . , and 

which shall be established for the objects and pur- 
poses as set forth in the Constitution and General 
Laws for the government of the Supreme Home 
and the subordinate sanctuaries of this Supreme 
Jurisdiction. 

It will be imperative that you yield a ready and 
willing obedience to the laws, regulations, rites and 



Eites and Ceremonies. 185 

customs of the Order, enacted from time to time, 
and that you strive to promote the general welfare 
of this sanctuary, after it shall have been insti- 
tuted, by the adoption of such by-laws for its gov- 
ernment as will place it upon a secure and perma- 
nent foundation. 

By virtue of authority in me vested, we now pro- 
ceed to the consideration of such business as may 
now be regularly advanced. 

(The candidates are initiated, the officers elected 
and installed, and the Agent collects his fees, to- 
gether with whatever may be the cost of supplies due 
the Supreme Home Office.) 

It is perhaps more satisfactory to confer one de- 
gree each night, and to install the officers the night 
the Third Degree is conferred. The Worthy Re- 
corder should be advised in reference to notifying 
the Supreme Worthy Recorder of the organization 
of the sanctuary, the time of meeting, the applica- 
tion for policies, and the report for the current 
quarter. 

All that has been said heretofore has reference to 
the organization or the instituting of a sanctuary 
where an association has been voluntarily formed, 
and when application has been made for an organ- 
izer. But when an agent forms the association it 
is customary to permit them to elect the officers, a 
name for the sanctuary, the time and place of meet- 



186 Ancient Order of Pilgrims. 

ing, after the degrees have been conferred and prior 
to making application to the Supreme Home Office 
for the charter and supplies. It is advisable to 
collect the quarterly payment for the Beneficiary 
Department, and the fee for the policy or certifi- 
cate of membership immediately thereafter, all of 
which must be forwarded instanter to the Supreme 
Worthy Eecorder by the Worthy Recorder. 

The application for the charter and supplies and 
literature is made by the agent to the Supreme 
Home office, in either case together with his report 
on the work as carried out by him, all of which is 
usually done on the forms prepared for that special 
purpose. 

XI.— THE SUPREME COUNCIL. 

The Supreme Council is constituted for the pur- 
pose of having an impartial judicial tribune com- 
petent to pass upon the merits of all charges, griev- 
ances and complaints. With that purpose in view 
the established custom of the Order is to have its 
membership constituted of Past Supreme Worthy 
Shepherds and Past Supreme Worthy Recorders 
for the reason that such persons are more fully ad- 
vised as to the established customs, usages and de- 
cisions of the fraternity. 

In order that the usual elective feature may not 
serve to unduly influence the members of the Su- 



SUPREME HOME OFFICERS* STATIONS 
__ 



\ RS.W.S.| S.W.S. | COUNCIL/ 



xxx 

SUPREME WORTHY TRUSTEES 



S.W.I. 



WEST 



Tslsf 



188 Axcient Order of Pilgrims. 

preme Council in their decisions and opinions, the 
election of the membership of the Supreme Council 
is determined in the following manner: Begin- 
ning with the senior officer of either of the classes 
hereinabove referred to they are taken in regular or- 
der as to seniority of service in either of the classes 
until the number has been selected as determined 
by the Constitutional regulations of the Order. 
By established custom the number of members can 
be fixed at any number not exceeding nine ; and a 
member of the Supreme Council who forfeits his 
membership in the Order for failure to pay or for 
other causes, thereby forfeits his eligibility for 
membership in the Supreme Council. 

XII.— HOW TO OPE^ THE SUPKEME 
HOME. 

(Previous to the date fixed for the convening of the 
Annual Conclave, the credentials of the representa- 
tives of the sanctuaries, Past Worthy Shepherds, and 
members of the Supreme Home are filed with the Su- 
preme Worthy Recorder, who is the chairman of the 
Committee on Credentials. When the Supreme Home 
is opened in due form the officers occupy their re- 
spective stations as indicated in the diagram on 
page 187.) 

S. W. S. — Assembled representatives, we are met 
together on the present occasion, in accordance with 
the established custom and law, for the purpose of 
holding our Annual Conclave, and to transact all 



Kites and Ceremonies. 189 

business appertaining thereto, in conformity with 
the laws and Constitution of our Order. Let it, 
therefore, be borne in mind that although this An- 
nual Conclave is competent to alter or rescind laws 
already in force, or to enact new laws, it has no 
power to set aside the natural rights of our breth- 
ren and sisters — namely those of equality before 
the laws and impartial justice between man and 
man. 

Let me invite my fellow officers and yourselves 
to aid me in preserving throughout our delibera- 
tions due order and decorum, for the purpose of 
securing to every representative attention and jus- 
tice. It is hoped that a strict regard to the interest 
of others will actuate every member present, and 
thus prevent ill feeling being engendered, or other 
sentiments awakened which may prove hostile to 
our happiness, or to the welfare of the organiza- 
tions you have the honor, respectively, to repre- 
sent. 

It is never to be forgotten that the interest of 
the few should give way to those of the many ; that 
the interest, local and temporary, should give way 
to those that may be general and permanent. 

I also invite you to remember that you are the 
representatives of your membership, and that you 
have sacred and important duties to discharge. 



190 Ancient Order of Pilgrims. 

Duties in which no selfish party feeling should be 
permitted to enter, but those in which the eternal 
principles of truth, justice and philanthropy 
should be the ruling motives. 

These suggestions must be taken in the kindly 
spirit in which they are made, and it is my fer- 
vent desire that, at the conclusion of the proceed- 
ings of this assembly, we may have grounds for 
self-congratulation on the temperate and kindly 
manner in which our discussions have been con- 
ducted. In order to secure this consummation, let 
me invoke you to unite in endeavoring to maintain 
the dignity of the chair, and to preserve due for- 
bearance and respect towards each other during the 
whole of our proceedings. 

Worthy Supreme Eecorder, call the roll of those 

sanctuaries qualified to assemble in this, the 

Annual Conclave. 

(The Worthy Recorder calls the roll of Supreme 
Home officers and the sanctuaries of the Jurisdic- 
tion, which by reason of having settled their accounts 
are entitled to membership in the present session of 
the Annual Conclave.) 

S. W. S. — A constitutional number of sanctua- 
ries of the Jurisdiction having qualified, the offi- 
cers will take up the pass, the Supreme Worthy 
Sentinel will guard the door, and the officers re- 
sume their proper stations. 



ElTES AND CeEEMOXIES. 191 

(The order is complied with, and the Supreme 
Worthy Senior Usher and the Supreme Worthy Pa- 
trol take up the pass and report in the same manner 
as is customary in a local sanctuary.) 

S. W. S. (Raps *** — * — ***) — Let us sing our 
Opening Ode. 

(The Opening Ode is followed by a prayer offered 
by the Supreme Worthy Inspirator, which in turn is 
followed by a hymn appropriate to the occasion.) 

S. W. S. — By virtue of authority in me vested as 
Supreme Worthy Shepherd I now declare this, the 

Annual Conclave of the Supreme Home 

of the Ancient Order of Pilgrims duly and legally 
opened day, session. 

Supreme Worthy Patrol, arrange the altar; Su- 
preme Worthy Junior Usher, inform the Sentinel. 

(The opening ceremony of an Annual Conclave, 
first session, first day, is identical to the opening of a 
sanctuary in the Crown Degree, but by custom that 
part of the ceremony in reference to the duties of the 
officers may be omitted. In order to save time, the 
various subdivisions into which an Annual Session 
is usually divided are generally opened by having the 
proper officers take up the pass, and a prayer by the 
Supreme Worthy Inspirator, all of which is followed 
by a formal announcement by the Supreme Worthy 
Shepherd as to the subdivision and the day of the 
session. 

The order of procedure is the appointment of the 
Committee on Rules and the Committee on Creden- 
tials, the adoption of these committee reports, etc.. 
as prescribed in the Constitution under the head of 
"The Order of Business.") 



192 Ancient Order of Pilgrims. 



CLOSING THE SUPREME HOME. 

S. W. S. — Assembled representatives, the busi- 
ness of this the Annual Conclave of the 

Supreme Home, now being, concluded, allow me to 
thank you for the zeal you have manifested in fur- 
thering the interest of the Order, and to express the 
earnest hope that the deliberations of the week may 
tend to the welfare of our society, by consolidating 
its powers and extending its benevolent principles. 

S. W. S. {Baps *** — * — ***) — Members, as we 

form the unbroken chain let us sing our Closing 

Ode. 

(The members form the unbroken chain around the 
altar, and sing a stanza of any hymn appropriate for 
the occasion.) 

S. W. S. — Supreme Worthy Inspirator, you will 

please perform your duty. 

(The Supreme Worthy Inspirator reads the Scrip- 
ture indicated by the emblem on the altar, and then 
repeats the Lord's Prayer or makes a short prayer 
suitable to the occasion. The members stand in the 
chain on the due-guard sign of the degree.) 

Members — Amen ! amen ! amen ! 

S. W. S. — Together let us make the closing sign. 

(The closing sign is made by the members in the 
usual manner.) 

S. W. S. — Before concluding, permit me to wish 
you a safe return to your respective sanctuaries, 



Rites and Ceremonies. 193 

and to impress upon each and all the desirability of 
carefully watching the interest of your institution 
at home, to the end that prosperity and harmony 
may continue to abound. 

Brethren and sisters, by virtue of the power and 
authority bestowed upon me, by virtue of my of- 
fice, I now declare the Annual Conclave 

of the Supreme Home of the Ancient Order of Pil- 
grims, Jurisdiction of , duly and legally 

adjourned. 

XIII.— THE KEY TO THE QUARTERLY 
PASS. 

ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQR 
8zkl34mr7ptsyd5h&j 

S TU V WXYZ 

bf6ea g2 c 

XIV.— ALTAR FIRE, CROWN DEGREE. 

Gum Olibanum, one (1) part. 
Bird Gravel, two (2) parts. 
Mix and put in container. Saturate with wood 
alcohol when ready to be used. 



194 Ancient Order of Pilgrims. 



XV.— SUPPLIES AN!) FORMS. 

(A). Regalia: The white silk cord, Silver Cloud 
Degree; the blue silk cord, Star Degree; the purple 
silk cord, the Crown Degree; regalia, Section VII., 
this Chapter. 

(B). Implements: The Pilgrim's Staff, the Shep- 
herd's Crook, the Altar Emblem, the Crown and Stars, 
the Altar Fire (Sec. 14, this chapter), and the Sen- 
tinel's Sword. 

(C). The Roval Apparel: The King's Monogram 
Signet, the King's Sceptre, the King's Crown, and the 
King's Robe, and the three curtains, for the Royal 
Sceptre. 

Member's Notice of Indebtedness. 

Member's Notice of Suspension. 

Member's Notice of a Special Meeting. 

Member's Notice to Relieve the Sick. 

Applicant's Notice of Rejection. 

Worthy Recorder and Worthy Locker's 

Member's Financial Card. 

Worthy Recorder's Application for Poli 

Applicant's Petition for Membership. 
Worthy Recorder's Annual Report 

Worthy Recorder's Quarterly Report 

Form 12. Representative's Credential for Annual 
Conclave (free). 



Form 


1. 


Form 


2. 


Form 


3. 


Form 


4. 


Form 


5. 


Form 


6. 


Bonds. 




Form 


7. 


Fcrm 


8. 


cies (free). 


Form 


y. 


Form 


10. 


(free). 




Form 


n. 


(free). 





Rites and Ceremonies. 



195 



Form 
Locker. 


13. 


Form 


14. 


Form 


15. 


Form 


16. 


Form 


17. 


Form 


18. 


Form 


19. 


Form 
Class A 


20. 


Form 
Class B 


21. 


Form 


22. 


Form 


23. 


Form 


24. 


Form 


25. 


Form 26. 
plies, Charte: 


Form 27. 
Sanctuary. 


Form 


28. 


Form 


29. 



Worthy Recorder's Warrants on the 

Worthy Locker's Receipt to the Recorder. 
Sanctuary Officer's Duty Cards. 
Worthy Recorder's Financial Record. 
Proof of Death Loss. 
Member's Ordinary Clearance. 
Member's Protected Clearance. 
Member's Supreme Home Clearance, 

Member's Supreme Home Clearance, 

Organizer's Certificate of Authority. 

Policy or Certificate of Membership. 

Nominations for Office, Supreme Home. 

Official Ballot, election Supreme Home. 

Agent's Application for Literature, Sup- 
r, etc. 

Agent's Report on Establishment of 

Dispensation for Admission of Members. 
Dispensation for Anniversaries, etc., etc. 



ALPHABETICAL INDEX 



Page 
Admittance to Sanctuary 10-13 

Annual Thanks Offering 167-170 

Annual Visit 170-175 

Ark of Condolence 165-167 

Arranging the Altar 26, 117 

Balloting 7-8, 35 

Ceremonies: 

Burial at the Home 152-155 

Burial at the Church 155-163 

Burial at the Grave 163-165 

Closing the Sanctuary 29-31 

Closing the Supreme Home 192-193 

Opening the Sanctuary 17-25 

Opening the Supreme Home 188-191 

Clearance Members 178-183 

Decoration Day 167 

Degrees: 

Election to 7-9, 115-116 

Names of 5, 115 

Crown 81-114 

Royal Sceptre 115-138 

Silver Cloud 35-60 

Star 61-80 

Raising the 32 

Lowering the 33 



198 Alphabetical Index. 

Page 
Grips and Passwords: 

Crown Degree 104 

Royal Sceptre Degree 136 

Silver Cloud Degree 53-54 

Star Degree 75-76 

Instituting a Sanctuary 183-186 

Lectures: 

Crown Degree 107-114 

Royal Sceptre Degree 137-138 

Silver Cloud Degree 56-60 

Star Degree 77-80 

Officers: 

Stations of 10, 16, 116, 187 

Duties of 10, 18-21 

Titles and Positions of 16, 17, 18, 187 

Installation of 139, 141-152 

Obligations: 

Crown Degree 93-94 

Royal Sceptre Degree. 121-122 

Silver Cloud Degree 46 

Star Degree 68-69 

Order of Business 27-29 

Order of Parade 175 

Passwords: 

Collecting the 11, 12, 23 

For the Degrees 11, 12 

Issuing the 15 

The Key for . 193 

Pilgrims' March 140 



Alphabetical Index. 199 

Page 
Pilgrims' Parade and Dress 175-176 

Pilgrims' Principles 51, 73-74 

Pilgrims' Word 100, 101, 103 

Quorum: 

Of the Sanctuary 5,9 

Of the Supreme Home 190 

Signs: 

Caution 101, 135 

Closing 31 

Due-Guard 52, 75, 99, 129 

Degree 51, 74, 99, 134 

Distress 102-103 

Public Supreme Honors 141, 175 

Private Supreme Honors 173-174 

Marshal's Salute 141 

Recognition 100 

Unbroken Chain 54 

Voting 107, 114 

Sanctuary: 

Definition of 5 

Officers of 18 

Organization of 183 

Regular Meetings of 6 

Special Meetings of 6 

Supreme Council 151, 186-187 

Vouching for Applicants 7 

Vouching for Visitors 15 



